Noise complaints could force a San Luis Obispo restaurant to close its doors early.
Taqueria Santa Cruz, located at Monterey St. and Johnson Ave., currently closes at 9 p.m., but they used to be open until 11.
Employees say it’s causing them to lose customers.
“We’re definitely losing a lot of business, especially from 9 to 10. A lot of people come in at like 9, 9:15, maybe even 9:30 trying to see if we’re still open but we’re still closed,” explained Sebastian Bautista, cashier.
The taqueria is part of a mixed-use building with apartments on top.
Some neighbors filed complaints with the city, saying the taqueria’s lingering customers, car noise, and the cleaning of the patio have led to noisy and restless nights. They say on some nights, the fan on the building’s roof would cause their apartments to vibrate.
In May, the city decided the taqueria could stay open until 10 p.m., but some appealed saying it’s still too late to do business.
“We’re losing probably two hours each shift, definitely losing money, especially when we’re working really hard that has a big effect on us and when you’re closing two hours early every day you’re losing that, and it adds up towards the end of the week,” Bautista said.
The property owner says he hopes a reasonable solution can be reached that “acknowledges the residents’ concerns yet respects the approved use permit and operational needs of the existing businesses.”
KSBY News knocked on the doors of the apartments in the building, but none of the neighbors were available to speak on the issue.
The San Luis Obispo Planning Commission is set to meet July 10 to decide if the restaurant can remain open until 10 p.m.
