El Sereno's Landmark "Hecho En Mexico Eatery" response to misinformation from Marie Salas and the Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School

El Sereno Community Gardens Organizer Marie Salas (pictured above) made the following comments about the Landmark Hecho En Mexico Restaurant, which was the basis for our "Back to School Tutorial" last Sunday. 

So can someone please explain what is the difference between the Shell gas station selling alcohol near by churches, schools, and a park and Hecho En Mexico Restaurant trying to get a liquor license right next door to a school, church, etc? Someone please clarify my confusion. Thanks Marie Salas.

After Salas comments and past allegations made by the Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School, the Bravo Family which owns the El Sereno Landmark Eatery has responded to Salas comments and clarifys the record regarding the liquor license issues at Hecho---Scott Johnson.

Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School grievances against the long established El Sereno Eatery 

 The Hecho En Mexico Eatery next the Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School (in yellow)

Dear Mary (Salas), Voice readers and community members:First, I would like to clarify that unlike the Shell Station which is seeking to obtain a Beer and Wine license, Hecho en Mexico currently has a beer and wine license. Additionally, Hecho en Mexico is not currently seeking to obtain a liquor license as stated in the comments.Second, I feel it is important to shed some light on the history of Hecho en Mexico and clarify any confusion as to which business was here first or why are we doing business between schools, churches, in the vicinity of parks, and a library. The main difference between the Shell station and Hecho is that the Hecho en Mexico is doing business in a location which has been in the community since 1929. This restaurant obtained its restaurant permits in 1950 and has been opened and operated continuously by three families since then. (First Casa Martinez, then Casita Tovar and now Hecho en Mexico). The library opened in 1959 and Barrio Action was opened in 2002 (per the City of LA Occupancy Permits) so as you can see the restaurant has been operating before the Old El Sereno Library, Barrio Action and Semillas. As for the beer and wine license the restaurant under the ownership of La Senora Tovar received approval back in the 80's. Hecho en Mexico continued the tradition and took over Casita Tovar in 2004 two years prior to Semillas opening its doors. Maybe the communities concerns should be directed at LAUSD and the City of LA for allowing a school to open next door to an existing restaurant which has been authorized by the local governing and state agencies to sell beer and wine. Hecho en Mexico is a bonafide restaurant which has obtained all Local, County and State permits required to operate legally unlike many other business owners who have not obtained all of the required permits. I understand your concern because you are a supporter of Semillas however I believe your comment about businesses such as ours who contribute to the community as using "mafia tactics" is unjust and unfair. We contribute to our community not because we have to but because we want to. Our children attend local schools and we live, shop and work in the community so our entire family has a vested interest to make El Sereno a safer, better place to live in and our goal is to achieve a better "quality of life" for our children. We would never ask the community to "turn the other cheek". Hecho en Mexico's philosophy is to work closely with the community and build bridges, beautify our surroundings and provide a resource for organizations such as yourself. In the future, please feel free to contact me personally as you have done so in the past when seeking donations for your garden if you have any additional questions or concerns---The Bravo Family.Yesterday at 7:25pm

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14