WAITE PARK -- A new Mexican restaurant plans to open in Waite Park in the next few weeks.

El Loro Mexican Restaurant plans to open in the former Spice location on March 6th.

Owner Marcos Gomez says he's been looking to expand into the St. Cloud area and seized the opportunity when the location was for sale.

"It was for sale and I saw it as a nice area and thought they could use another Mexican restaurant," says Gomez.

The restaurant offers fresh authentic Mexican, Tex-Mex and fast food style meals. Back in December, the Waite Park city council approved a liquor license for the restaurant.

Gomez says they'll do some minor renovations before opening, with the possibility of a larger remodel in the future.

"We'll do a small cosmetic remodeling but it won't be major. Maybe in the future we will do a larger remodel but at this point I think it's in good shape," says Gomez.

Gomez says they are in the process of filling several positions including cooks and servers.

They plan to be open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Spice Restaurant closed back in December. Prior to that the building was home to the Hacienda for about a year and Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant for about 15 years.

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