Help Rebuild Chilangos

In the aftermath of the damaging winds that ripped the roof off of the building which housed one of Belleville’s most popular restaurants, I met with the owners of Chilangos to talk about some of the challenges ahead for them.

Understandably, Marlem Power and her brother Abraham Ramos Serratos are overwhelmed at being without a place to continue the business they have built over the past twelve years.

Their story is one of hope and success. Marlem arrived in the area fifteen years ago with her husband, who continues to serve this country in the military, and her 2-month-old son. As an immigrant, she embraced her Canadian home and looked for ways to bring her culture and love of Mexican cooking into the Quinte region.

In 2010, the brother and sister duo introduced some of their Mexican family recipes to visitors to the Waterfront & Multicultural Festival and quickly became one of the favourite food vendors. Their popularity grew, and in 2016, they realized their dream and opened Chilangos in downtown Belleville.

In just two years they were able to expand their footprint to include the neighbouring space and added a back patio. As COVID restrictions threatened the industry, the duo navigated through the hardships, adjusting their menu and take-out options, expanding the back patio, and adding seating outside in front of the restaurant.

In just six years, the business grew and grew, employing more than forty local people, offering patrons a true multi-cultural experience, all of whom now, have no place to go to work.

Although the business is insured, not all things are covered and the financial hardship resulting from the devastation is real, with the future still unclear.  How long will it be before they are able to once again offer the Quinte area traditional Mexican flavours?  

Please consider a donation to rebuild Chilangos' new home.