PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GRAND OPENING RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY … Part-owner and general manager, Ramon Mesa (middle), cuts the ribbon for the grand opening of the new Casa Del Rey Mexican restaurant and bar in Montpelier on Monday, October 6, along with representatives from the Montpelier Area Chamber of Commerce, Village of Montpelier, WesBanco Bank, and Metalink.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
A grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Montpelier’s newest Mexican restaurant, Casa Del Rey, on Monday, October 6.
Located in the former Drop Time bar and restaurant on 311 West Main Street in Montpelier, the restaurant features authentic Mexican food and also offers a variety of lunch and dinner specials every day and night.
“We are so glad that you joined the downtown area,” commented Kelly Herzog, who is the executive director of the Montpelier Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s so great to see parking spaces on Main Street full once again. It’s been wonderful to see the downtown area bustling again. We had a lot of new business in town recently, and we’re so very fortunate to have you.”
Ramon Mesa, who is part-owner and general manager of Casa Del Rey, commented that he’s very excited about getting his business started in Montpelier. “The people are very friendly in Montpelier,” pointed out Mesa.
His interest in getting a Mexican restaurant and bar into Montpelier began when he, along with his business partners, Manny Ramirez and Alberto Mesa, had explored the community a couple of years ago.
“I love living here in Montpelier,” commented Mesa. “I’m trying to make it (restaurant) happen for the community.”
One of the advantages that Casa Del Rey has is that all of its food dishes are prepared with homemade recipes from Mexico.
Mesa has been involved in the restaurant business for the past 18 years. He, along with his two partners, also operates a Mexican restaurant in Bryan. Herzog said that it’s great to have another restaurant in Montpelier.
“I had people already commenting to me when they drive through town, it’s so nice to see parking spaces full, people in town here shopping, not only Casa Del Rey, but we also have the new gym, Patty Cakes, Heart of Home, Common Cravings, Wispy Willow Farms; those are all new businesses in the last year.”
With the newest business in town, Herzog noted that Montpelier is finally getting back to when it was when she was a young child.
“There was talk when they were saying it’s going to be a Mexican restaurant coming to town, and everybody was so excited,” said Herzog.
“We were here on day two when they were open. The food was good, service was also good, and it was only day two. The people are so nice, and the food is fabulous.”
The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Lunch specials are being offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.