AMERICAN FORK — When the Cabo Mexican Grill & Cafe reopens this week, expect to see former owner Don Hainsworth standing at the door greeting his former patrons with a smile and a hug.
"That's how it was when I left," he said.
Hainsworth closed his doors in July after six years in business because of health issues but insists nothing's wrong with his heart when it comes to his customers. He sold out to real estate investor and builder Cameron Tea and will now take a marketing role. Tea, meanwhile, expanded the size of the restaurant into the banquet room and is adding more of a community flavor.
"I needed a place to come for lunch," he said.
A new community corner recognizes local leaders, teachers and top students, Tea said. He's also working to provide a venue for school jazz bands and chamber choirs to perform.
"That's my real job," he said.
When the restaurant closed, the cooks and other employees scattered to other jobs. Most are coming back to prepare and serve meals with Hainsworth's original recipes. However, he's still looking for a manager.
Other Hainsworth innovations, including the open salsa bar and the Cabo card, are also expected to return. The Cabo card offers a free meal after the holder purchases nine.
Patrons in the past held their meetings there, Hainsworth said.
The restaurant was so popular that many patrons left messages of condolence on the shuttered doors. Among them were messages from out-of-towners, who looked forward to a Cabo meal when visiting American Fork, Hainsworth said.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com