El Siete Mares Bids Farewell After 30 Years and Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
After three decades of serving up coastal Mexican cuisine, El Siete Mares Seafood, a staple on San Antonio’s West Side, is closing its doors. Open since 1994, the restaurant has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, becoming another casualty of the growing shift toward big business in the city.
This heartfelt message reflects the connection the family-run business had with the community, now facing an increasingly competitive economic environment.
Pending Sale of El Siete Mares’ Property
Listed for $500,000 by Keller Williams Realty, El Siete Mares’ property includes adjoining parking lots. The listing has since been taken down as the property is under contract, signaling the end of an era for this beloved local spot.
The Struggles of Small Businesses in a Changing Economy
For 30 years, El Siete Mares was more than a restaurant—it was a community hub. Its closure is part of a broader trend in San Antonio, where small businesses are being edged out by rising rents and big corporations. And El Siete Mares is not alone—other cherished local institutions like The Pig Stand, Purple Garlic, Earl Abel’s, Acadiana Restaurant, The Rustic, Caparelli’s Thousand Oaks, and Cypress Cafe have all shut their doors in recent memory. These closures represent a significant shift in the city’s landscape, as the small, community-rooted enterprises that once defined San Antonio’s neighborhoods disappear.
The Cost of Losing Local Businesses
The loss of small businesses like El Siete Mares represents more than just a financial blow—it’s the erosion of community history and identity. As San Antonio continues to grow, we must consider the true cost of progress and what it means for the businesses that have long supported the city.
Patron Your Small Businesses
El Siete Mares may be gone, but its impact on the community will live on as it is all over the city with closures everywhere and in every community. Its closure, along with the loss of other beloved institutions, serves as a reminder of what’s at stake if we fail to support the small businesses that give our neighborhoods their character and soul.
A Final Message to Loyal Customers
To our beloved customers, thank you and goodbye,” the restaurant shared on Facebook. “May [G]od give back 30 years of blessings.
