Just in time for happy hour, Emiliano’s Cafe will reopen with a brand new look.
The Latin cafe closed Saturday for renovations to the kitchen area, the outdoor awning and the design of the indoor bar.
"We’ve been here for over 30 years, so these changes are necessary every so often," said Diego Ibañez, co-owner of Emiliano’s. "We want our establishment to always match our product."
He said it was the first renovation for the cafe in eight years. The cafe will open its doors again 4 p.m. Friday for its Sundowner happy hour.
Although the cafe closure is brief, some students were disappointed they couldn’t get their Latin food this week.
"I drove there on Sunday because my friend was visiting from my hometown, Atlanta, but it was closed so we ended up going somewhere else," says Annie Klopp, a 21-year-old UF fine arts senior.
Ibañez said the decision to renovate this week wasn’t an easy one, but the changes were necessary. He had hoped the renovations would be finished last week due to UF’s first football game this weekend.
"It was a combination of scheduling," he said. "It was coordinating with the people who would be doing the work, and it was because we usually get a slow-down during the first few weeks of each semester."
Ibañez said while he’s excited to show off the renovations Friday, it’s hard to miss a week of business.
"It hurts every time the phone rings and we have to turn people away," he said. "But everyone’s really excited."
Ibañez added, "The hardest part has been turning away new customers who have come on a recommendation."
