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Customers Help Renovate Eatery

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

TAMPA - After 10 years of serving Spanish food from their rented gas station locale, Ramon and Maria Martinez needed to find a new location for their restaurant, El Nino.

The gas station's new owners wanted to bring in a franchise doughnut shop, sending the Martinezes on a search that ended at a former Taco Bell, just a few blocks north from their old location at Spruce Street and Dale Mabry Highway.

But getting the new spot ready wasn't a turn of the key. If it weren't for friends, it might never have opened.

A painter, an electrician, a plumber and a refrigeration repairman - all El Nino customers - volunteered to renovate and upgrade the restaurant, 2038 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Ramon Martinez estimates they did $15,000 worth of work.

"It was like a gift from God to send these people to help us," said Edwin Martinez, 30, who co-owns the restaurant with his parents. "You don't see that nowadays."

Albert Vega, owner of Xtreme Painting Services in Tampa, said he spent about 10 days with his crew preparing and painting the business inside and out. He let the family choose the colors and donated the paint, as well as labor.

Vega said he has known the Martinezes since they waited tables at local Cuban restaurants. A regular at their restaurant, he said their warmth, kindness and family bond is irreplaceable. Ramon and Maria Martinez have four adult children.

"When you see that family bond, it is something special," said Vega, 37. "Not everyone has that."

The Martinezes are getting used to the size of their new location. Before, they had about 800 square feet, four tables, a counter and two employees. Now, they have 2,800 square feet, 15 tables, a counter and six employees.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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