Nayarit Restaurant, a hot spot on north Main Avenue, is opening a second location near Walmart to serve the rapidly growing South Camino del Rio corridor and Three Springs.
The new location is expected to open in about two weeks in the building formerly occupied by Payless Shoe Source with the same menu as the original location, co-owner Mike Schweitz said. The inspiration for the cuisine is drawn from the coastal Mexican state of Nayarit.
The 12-year-old restaurant had planned to open a rooftop patio to reduce wait times for customers and meet demand after seeing yearly growth, he said. But the business decided to pursue a second location instead after receiving push-back from the neighborhood and city of Durango, he said.
The restaurant withdrew its application for the patio after hearing neighbors’ concerns about light pollution, loud noise and additional parking congestion, said Nicol Killian, assistant director of the city’s Community Development Department. Killian said she was pleased the restaurant found a different way to grow.
“We are happy they are happy with their new location,” she said.
The new location will provide seating for 92 and plenty of parking, which has always been a struggle for the restaurant on north Main Avenue, Schweitz said.
“You’ll always be able to find a spot,” he said.
Schweitz also said he expects the restaurant will meet demand for restaurants with table service as Grandview and Three Springs continues to grow, he said.
“We are excited to provide a service out this way and hoping that reception is equally energetic,” he said.
The building’s square layout provided ample space for the restaurant to move in and add a kitchen and a bar, he said.
Renovations have been occurring for about seven months to make the interior similar to north Main Avenue’s location, but the bar will be more central in the layout, he said.
The new location will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
