El Fenix, the landmark Abilene Mexican restaurant, will reopen this summer.
After 83 years in business, El Fenix closed Christmas Eve. However, owner Olivia Velez had hoped someone, perhaps in the family, would step up.
Luisa Velez-McKamey did.
And she just didn t step in, she flew in.
After living for the past 14 years in Hawaii, she and her husband, Ranen, have moved to West Texas to revive the family business. Not me, Olivia Velez said, laughing, when announcing the news.
The plan is to reopen the restaurant at 3241 South First St. sometime this summer. Currently, remodeling and cleaning are under way. An application for a liquor license has been turned in.