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Mexican Grill Closes, Chipotle Coming To White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Pancheros Mexican Grill closed in the last few days, a little more than a month before the 130-room Cambria Suites opens with 47,000 square feet of retail, including Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Pancheros, located at 38 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains, closed in recent days.

Pancheros, located at 38 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains, closed in recent days.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly
Frank and Maria Berisha react to Pancheros closing and Chipotle Mexican Grill coming into White Plains.

Frank and Maria Berisha react to Pancheros closing and Chipotle Mexican Grill coming into White Plains.

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly

Residents walking by on Monday, May 12,  looked curiously at the now empty storefront at 38 Mamaroneck Ave. While most said they prefer Chipotle, others said they didn’t want to see another one of the small guys go by the wayside.

Pancheros has four other locations, all in New Jersey.

“This is the whole story everywhere,” said Frank Berisha, who has worked as a concierge in White Plains. “Do you remember when there wasn’t Home Depot? There were little mom and pop hardware stores everywhere. Home Depot came and there was not one around anywhere. That’s what’s happening with everything.”

Berisha’s wife, Maria, agreed, saying she doesn’t like cookie-cutter chains.

“I rather have authentic little places,” she said.

Pancheros' traffic never built as much as they would have liked and informed the city that they would be leaving before shutting down in recent days, Mayor Thomas Roach said.

“The food they had in Pancheros wasn’t as good as Chipotle,” said Bo Mzila, who added he was excited about the new Chipotle.

Ski Carter, of White Plains, agreed, saying he liked the name Pancheros, but that the one time he did eat there he didn’t like it.

“Every time I walk by it’s empty,” he said. “Even on a Saturday it’s empty.”

The Cambria Suites development will include 30,000 square feet of retail in the hotel building and another 17,000 square feet in an adjoining building.

With Pancheros gone, what type of business would you like to see replace it? Tell us in the comments section below or tweet us your thoughts @WhitePlainsDV

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