A Jefferson City couple is taking on a new business venture - opening a restaurant at 242 Jaycee Drive, the former Santa Cruz building.
Maru's Restaurant will open in two weeks by owners Maria and Antonio Cepeda. New decor, wall colors, lighting and general maintenance has given the building a fresh look from its former life.
The Cepedas will serve American cuisine with a Mexican flair, in its daily breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Using the menu from Antonio's brother-in-law's successful Chicago restaurant, River View Diner, the couple hopes to bring something new to Jefferson City. The breakfast menu will include several types of omelets, frittatas, crepes, pancakes, a healthy start menu and more. Lunch and dinner menus will offer several types of seafood - salmon, tilapia, catfish, codfish, shrimp, as well as steaks, pork chops, pork tenderloins, chicken dishes, several hot sandwiches, burgers, a wide array of salads, "A tour of Mexico" menu, some Italian options and much more.
Maru's will host a soft opening in the coming weeks and plans to open with approximately 11 employees.
While Antonio owns a successful electric business, AC-DC Electric, Maria said she has been looking for something more steady for some time. With previous restaurant experience, the mother of two and her husband decided to invest savings into the new business. They hope the success of the restaurant will carry over to help their sons, ages 15 and 11, to attend college. The Cepedas have lived in Jefferson City for 14 years, and are excited to get their new business underway.
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