Republica Empanada: An Extraordinary Property in New Urban Downtown Mesa gets recognized by the City

Press Release from the City of Mesa Newsroom
05/05/2015 8:52 AM
You can read the entire release here: http://www.mesaaz.gov/Home/Components/News/News/199/ 

While The City of Mesa’s Extraordinary Properties Campaign has recognized three commercial property owners who exceed design standards, there is one on the list that brings "simple urban industrial chic" design to downtown that was done by the owner Marco Meraz with friends and family doing much of the work during a two-year renovation.
The mid-century architecture is a unique contrast to the brick and stucco rows showcased along Main Street. Its location at the northeast corner of Hibbbert & First Avenue adjoins a thriving urban community garden providing a hands-on greenspace where residents can plant and grow their own food. Mesa Urban Garden
This Pan-Latin bistro,specializing in Arizona's largest variety of South American style savory empanadas, adds international flavors for both residents and visitors alike The menu offerings represent the different regions and tastes of Latin American comfort food.
Hmmm ... what early-day pioneer back in 1878 could ever have imagined in  their wildest plans that Mesa would be the location in Arizona for the largest variety of South American-style savory empanadas?

The restaurant has seating and service both inside and outside - you can see images taken by the photographer Ivan Martinez by going to RE's website. Local place with international flavors.

In plugging new urban downtown businesses like I do all the time, whether it's retail, services, education, arts-and-entertainment, recreation, or foods & drinks & eats, you gotta taste some of the whopping local, domestic and international 18 beers here from Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Maui Hawaii, Cali, Oregon, Colorado, France, Mexico, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Wines are stocked from Argentina, Chile, Spain, Italy and Mexico. 

While the City of Mesa recognizes the architecture of commercial properties, MesaZona blog recognizes the accomplishment of an owner and his friends and family bringing different tastes and flavors to downtown. 
Mesa may be conservative in its politics, but there's no doubt it enjoys diversity in the menus offered on/off Main Street.