Mahoning Valley’s oldest Mexican restaurant to close

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Casa Ramirez, the Mahoning Valley’s oldest Mexican Restaurant, will close its indoor dining and carry-out operations due to staff shortage at the end of the month.

Casa Ramirez has been located on Youngstown’s Mahoning Avenue for 32 years and is operated by Carlos and Celerina Ramirez who are in their 70s.

The restaurant will still be open for large parties and catering but the Ramirez son — also named Carlos — says the closing is coming with a heavy heart.

“It was a lot of discussion within ourselves. It was hard because I know we have such loyal customers. Our customers are awesome and it was hard for me to really push that conversation because if it was up to my parents, they would wake up and do the same thing. But someone really had to say no,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez says if things should turn around and they find people to work, they may consider reopening Casa Ramirez for dining and carry-out again.

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