Downtown Winston-Salem’s vibrant culinary landscape is facing another notable shift as Mojito Latin Soul Food, a beloved establishment and prominent Winston-Salem restaurant, prepares to close its doors permanently on August 24.
Owners Michael and Michelle Millan have proactively informed their loyal customer base, providing nearly a month’s notice of their impending cessation of operations, marking a significant moment for the local food scene and an addition to recent restaurant closures.
Located at 723 N. Trade St., Mojito Latin Soul Food was renowned for its diverse offerings beyond traditional Cuban fare, including authentic Mexican tacos, Colombian arepas, and unique fried chicken inspired by Puerto Rican Latin American cuisine.
This closure isn’t Michael Millan’s first experience with the challenging restaurant industry; he was also a partner in Mary’s, which concluded its 22-year run in June 2020, highlighting a pattern of transitions in the downtown dining sector.
The departure of Mojito follows a series of other prominent downtown restaurant closures, including Sweet Potatoes, which ceased operations in February after two decades, and Mayberry, which cited insufficient regular foot traffic as a primary factor for its closure in November, a key business news development.
Mike Rankin, former owner of Mayberry, previously emphasized that while special events, festivals, and conferences brought bustling activity, consistent daily traffic, particularly during lunch, was often inadequate to sustain operations for establishments designed for high volume.
These recent events underscore the evolving dynamics and inherent difficulties faced by businesses in the Downtown Arts District, prompting questions about the long-term sustainability of various culinary ventures in the area, impacting the broader local food scene.
Leave a Reply