Relax, breathe, marg

If you, like us, have been driving down North Main Avenue recently and wondered, “OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED TO NAYARIT???” – you are not alone.

And it’s true – the sign outside the longtime Nayarit location at 2525 Main Ave. has been covered up and replaced with a banner that reads “Frida’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina” with an illustration of the famous Mexican artist.

But relax! Though times have changed for the incredibly popular Mexican food restaurant, it’s not as dire as it seems.

Mike Schweitz, a founding partner of Nayarit, said he and his business partner, Juvenal Corona, recently had an amicable split. Schweitz took the new Nayarit south location near Walmart; Corona took the north location and renamed it.

“The traditional Nayarit everyone knows is now in just one location (south),” Schweitz.

Nayarit first opened nearly 20 years ago, in the small building at 2477 Main Ave. that now is home to Chang Thai Durango. Over the years, it has become arguably one of Durango’s most popular restaurants in town. Around 2015, Nayarit moved to the spot at 2525 Main Ave.

In 2014, Corona became a partner in Nayarit and managed the restaurant. But, around the time Nayarit opened the south location in 2020, Corona expressed a desire to go his own way.

“That’s the way partnerships roll generally,” Schweitz said. “But we had a great run together and he has my blessing.”

Corona said that, as it stands, Frida’s menu is mostly the same, with some new plates and drinks. Eventually, Frida’s will offer an expanded menu with a focus on traditional Mexican food.

“Now I can put my unique personality into my new place,” Corona said.

Indeed, Corona said the inside of the restaurant will be inspired by Frida Kahlo, with bright colors and a mural. “People have been very excited and happy to see the changes,” he said.

As for the last standing Nayarit location, Schweitz said it’s going to be business as usual with the same staples people have grown to know and love. Since opening in 2020, business on the south end of town has been great, he said, almost identical in sales to the north location.

“We’ve done really well; it was something the south end of town needed,” he said.

Alright, now let’s get our marg on, wherever you find yourself.