Pedro and Mayra Hernandez, owners of El Charro, began operating the grocery store and taqueria in 2014. Pedro and Mayra took on El Charro together, serving our community by offering authentic cultural staples as well as their delicious food in a small section of the grocery store.
Pedro and Mayra, both with prior restaurant experience, were eager to enhance their knowledge and educate themselves. Pedro enlisted the help of a friend from Chicago to train them in cooking authentic cuisine and mentor them in navigating the restaurant industry.
After participating in the Taste of Montgomery County, the store experienced a surge of customers visiting for their food. This success forced them to make the decision to transition into a full-time restaurant. Pedro said, “We needed to focus on one or the other. It was either the grocery or the restaurant. We were running back and forth between the grocery and the restaurant." The grocery section was then remodeled to accommodate additional tables and chairs. El Charro expanded rapidly, doubling and even tripling in size, transforming into a full-fledged restaurant.
Pedro and Mayra immigrated to America in pursuit of a better life. According to Pedro, "Everyone wants to have their own business, financial independence, and be their own boss.” The food industry is quite demanding. They have learned to balance entrepreneurship with raising a family. It has certainly not been easy. When their youngest was born, they had a crib behind the counter to keep the family together as much as possible.
Pedro emphasized the importance of enjoying what you do to avoid fixating on the negatives. Through their own challenges, Pedro and Mayra have learned that failure is a lesson and an opportunity for growth. Adhering to these business principles has enabled them to manage economic shifts and adapt to meet the needs of the customers.
When asked about their mission for El Charro, they both agreed that prioritizing food was paramount. They want to bring quality food and to excel in that. Initially, they did not intend to significantly expand the business, but, as Pedro pointed out with a smile, "It grew anyway."
Pedro and Mayra have been quite brave. Adventuring to America to find their way toward a better life. They have worked hard and have had to be patient in watching their dreams come to fruition. They jumped into El Charro with little experience but have reaped the rewards of their labor.
Pedro and Mayra express gratitude for the community's support, noting that their business has thrived despite economic challenges, thanks to loyal customers. Their vision for El Charro is to make customers happy and enhance their business to better serve the community. Pedo and Mayra are a wonderful asset to downtown Crawfordsville.
El Charro Mexican Restaurant & Seafood
113 E. Pike St. Crawfordsville, IN.
Phone: 765.359.0455
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