Danny’s Restaurant closes for business 

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2017

Local Mexican and American food restaurant, Danny’s, located at 2647 N. Veterans Boulevard in Eagle Pass, closed its doors for business after many years in the community.  Local diners lament the closing of the local eatery as many enjoyed its fine Mexican and American food entries and service.

Danny’s Restaurant was originally brought to Eagle Pass, Texas as a franchise outlet by local attorney and entrepreneur, Gloria E. Hernandez.  Danny’s Restaurant originated in Laredo, Texas where it has several locations in that border city and now offers franchises to those interested in owning one.  Hernandez eventually sold or returned the Eagle Pass location to the parent company in Laredo.  Danny’s Restaurant parent company took over ownership and management of the Eagle Pass location for many years until it closed on Monday, March 6, 2017.

Danny’s Restaurant parent company did not state why they had closed the Eagle Pass location nor indicated whether it will ever re-open under new ownership or management.

The current peso devaluation in Mexico and President Trump’s policies are hurting many United States-Mexico border businesses with some reporting loss of sales up to 70 percent.  Eagle Pass retail and restaurant businesses cite the peso devaluation since October of 2016 to the present as a significant factor in loss of sales.  President Donald J. Trump’s anti-immigrant, U.S.-Mexico Border Wall, and anti-Mexican policies are also contributing to less people from Mexico coming to the United States to do their retail shopping and business.  The City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System reported a decrease of vehicles and pedestrians crossing into Eagle Pass from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico during February 2017.

Many local retail and restaurant businesses have had to reduce the number of employees or hours worked per week to offset the significant loss of sales during the past two months of 2017 since President Trump took office.

Local public officials and businesses are closely monitoring President Trump’s policies to determine how it is going to affect the U.S.-Mexico border communities, who are among the poorest in the United States.