Today, I’m asking our community to please show love and support for my Aunt María and her restaurant, Rinconcito Latino Restaurant, which has been a staple in the Fridley community for 18 years. This Salvadoran restaurant is more than just a business — it’s a place where family, culture, and tradition live. At Rinconcito Latino, María is dedicated to preserving the authenticity of Salvadoran cuisine, using traditional recipes and flavors that have been passed down through generations. She is the person who taught me everything I know, and there would be no Abis Restaurant without the love, guidance, and support she has given me since day one. María believed in me before anyone else did, and her kindness has touched so many lives in our community.

Today I went to her restaurant to help clean and water her plants, and it broke my heart. The woman who has always been strong for everyone is now forced to close her doors, not because she wants to, but because staff and customers are scared to come out.

Recently, my Aunt Maria made the heartbreaking decision to close her restaurant. She did this not because she wanted to, but to keep her staff, customers, and herself safe from being a targeted place for ICE. This sudden closure has left her, her family, and her staff without income or resources. The woman who has always been strong for everyone is now facing an uncertain future, and Rinconcito Latino has run out of resources to continue supporting her team and loved ones during this time.

I created this fundraiser to try to give back even a fraction of what my aunt María has done for me and for our community. Any donation, share, or kind words will help her with re-opening , inventory, rent, bills. If you’ve ever eaten at Rinconcito Latino, been welcomed with love, or felt at home in her space, this is the moment to show up for her. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting. Community is everything.