“We’re looking towards the future:” Santa Fe Restaurant opens in former “Forghedaboudit” location
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The Picacho Hills neighborhood west of Las Cruces has a new but familiar face occupying the building where "Forghedaboudit" once stood.
"We're looking to get back into the restaurant business again," said Santa Fe Restaurant owner Mariah Baeza.
Her family has owned the Santa Fe Grill Catering Co. in Las Cruces for nearly 25 years. The company was known for operating restaurants inside Pic Quik gas stations and convenience stores.
Circle K bought out all but one of the Pic Quik locations in 2021, and the company decided to go different ways once their leases ended.
"Our lease just ended with Circle K, and we decided to branch ways, go our own route, and open up a restaurant business," said Baeza.
The building the new restaurant is in was formerly occupied by Kim Yacone's restaurant, "Forghedaboudit." Yacone died after allegedly being killed by her husband, Bob. He later died from injuries sustained following a shootout with law enforcement.
Baeza says the new restaurant in Forghedaboudit's former location can help the community move past that violent incident.
"We're trying to look at the future, we never want to look towards the negative, so we're looking forward to stand out in this new location and take a run for our money," added Baeza.
