Patricia's Mexican Kitchen closed

Just as many in the EMU community were enjoying those Mexican delights from Patricia's Mexican Kitchen, the university has shut it down.

After weeks of a unique "dine by donation" system launched by Daryl and Patricia Carter in their Parkwoods apartment, they were notified that their efforts violated the lease contract in Parkwoods.

From a previous Weather Vane article highlighting exactly what the Carters were cooking, Greg Becker, manager of apartment rentals, was instructed to shut down Patricia's Mexican Kitchen because of technicalities in the lease. Becker cited three violations. First, the lease prohibits the operation of a business in the apartments. Second, business uses more electricity and is harder on the equipment than what the lease allows.

Third, since the business is food, there are Health Department issues as well as business license, food tax, and income tax questions, according to Becker. Although the Carters tried to minimize their venture as "donation only," it would be interpreted as a business operation because they are paid-for goods and services even though the purchaser determines the amount of compensation.

"It's too bad that they can't continue what they are doing," said Becker, "because I've heard a lot of good things about the food, and I know it really helped Daryl and Patricia's financial situation, but we can't allow them to continue because it would be breaking the law."

Carter says he is not mad or upset, only "disappointed that many of the students and faculty will no longer have an alternative option for dining. We really felt like there was a sense of community being built between us, our customers, and the food."

Roman Miller of the Biology Department regrets the closing of Patricia's Kitchen, saying, "I wish they could continue to make food because it was excellent. Daryl was very loyal, and this is unfortunate."

Speculation that Patricia's dishes might team up with Common Grounds in the future was denied by junior Sara Crosthwait, assistant manager of Common Grounds. For now it seems that the authentic Mexican dishes will be put on the back burner.