Albuquerque businesses support Tomasita’s workers after fire shuts restaurant
George Gundrey saw his Albuquerque restaurant charred by a fire off Interstate 25, forcing it to close. The sudden closure leaves staff without work just days ahead of the city’s largest tourist event.
The location is expected to stay closed for several weeks. Community members and nearby shops quickly reached out to offer aid.
“It’s Murphy’s law, if this is going to happen, it’s probably the worst time for it to happen,” Gundrey said on Thursday.
He noted his phone rang constantly with people wishing him luck and asking how to help. He stated the inability to serve red and green chile to customers does not feel good.
News about the blaze spread across social media channels. Yeller Sub operators Nate Bywater and Cheyanne Bywater saw the posts and stepped in to help.
“I scrolled down on the first comment was oh no it’s Tomasita’s and I was like oh wow like that’s that’s near to home,” Nate Bywater said.
The operators decided to assist displaced staff members who are currently without work. Many hospitality workers rely on the busy Balloon Fiesta period for substantial income.
“Balloon Fiesta is a huge revenue-generating time for that business. It is for everybody. But I can’t imagine being a server or being a cook or being anyone that’s out of a job for this time period because they would have made a lot of money,” Cheyanne Bywater said.
Other dining spots across Albuquerque soon extended job offers to the displaced workers. Nate Bywater noticed multiple establishments sharing hiring notices online.
The businesses offering aid or temporary employment include:
- Sadie’s
- Garcia’s kitchen
- Dorothy’s
- Pizza 9 at Revel
“We’ve always believed that it’s a blessing to be a blessing. And that’s all we want to do,” Nate Bywater said.
Commercial kitchen fires often trigger safety inspections and repair work before a venue can reopen. Displaced food service staff frequently seek temporary shifts during high-volume regional events.
Local owners continue to coordinate temporary roles for the staff throughout the metro area.
