The City Council has unanimously approved a resolution supporting the transfer of a liquor license for a new Mexican restaurant planned at 115 Ludlow St.

The approval followed a public hearing held before the regular council meeting to gather comments and concerns regarding an application submitted by Tacos y Tequila Warren LLC. The company is seeking to transfer an existing liquor license from Spring Creek Township into the city of Warren for use at the future restaurant location.

Attorney John Knox, representing the owners of the business Juan and Ramon Gurubel, told the council that the brothers are experienced restaurateurs who operate several Mexican restaurants in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Their Pennsylvania operation, Pueblo Real in Girard, has been in business since 2022 and remains in good standing with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

The proposed Warren restaurant will be located at 115 Ludlow St. According to Knox, the restaurant is expected to feature 20 tables, seating for about 10 patrons at the bar and roughly 95 parking spaces. The establishment plans to operate seven days a week, with hours extending until 10 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 p.m. on Sundays.

During the hearing, no members of the public voiced opposition to the liquor license transfer. One attendee asked where the license would be transferred from, and Knox explained it would come from the Deer Head Inn in Spring Creek Township.

Council members also questioned the owners about their timeline for opening the restaurant. Speaking via Zoom, co-owner Juan Gurubel said renovations have begun and estimated the restaurant could open in no less than three to four months.

“We don’t want to open without a liquor license,” Gurubel said. “Our plan is to make something nicer, with a new bar and dining room.”

Grubel added that the business expects to employ eight to 10 workers initially and that he and his brother plan to relocate to Warren to help operate the restaurant.

“We pretty much have a house there now, so we’re looking to move to Warren,” he said.

Following discussion, council voted unanimously to approve the resolution supporting the liquor license transfer. The application will now move to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for final consideration.