Clock Ticking, Community Rallies To Save LI Empanada Shop From Closing

MASTIC BEACH, NY — In a scene straight out of "It's A Wonderful Life," the community came together over the holiday week to raise the funds needed to keep a popular empanada shop from closing in Mastic Beach.

Last week, owner Jessica Rodriguez posted a message on Facebook that heralded the possible end for her business: "It is with deep sadness that I make this announcement," she said.

Rodriguez said that, at the end of the week, EmpanadaVille, would be closing its doors for business, with New Year's Eve the last day of operation.

"We have been trying to stay afloat in this crazy economy that we are all experiencing, but at this point we are drowning. To stay in business would be further detrimental to us financially, as things have slowed down tremendously for us this year. 2023, by far, has been our toughest year," she said.

The news was painful to break, she said. "We believe that we truly have something special here, something unique, that hasn’t been in existence here on Long Island since I was little. Through the years we have made so many wonderful connections and have had the pleasure to serve thousands on Long Island our traditional Puerto Rican food."

Her goal, Rodriguez said, was "to transport people to Puerto Rico or to bring them back to their childhood through my food. It is extremely sad to see it go."

Rodriguez kicked off a GoFundMe so that she could "keep serving Long Island all the things that I bring to the table. Donations received will go towards our operational costs."

Rodriguez said she had no plans to close the catering component of the business.

Faced with the possible closure of the eatery, the community came out in a show of support that would have made George Bailey proud.

This week, Rodriguez posted a reel on Facebook thanking the many who came and showed their support for her business. "I am truly blown away," she said. "I can't believe that many people cared about us and don't want to see us go."

To all who donated to the GoFundMe and came by the shop, Rodriguez said she was truly grateful.

While the business did not meet its GoFundMe goal by New Year's Eve, so many customers came in over the past weekend, enough money was raised to keep the business afloat — for now, Rodriguez said.

"Because of all of you, we will be remaining open," she said. "We're going to take it on a month-by-month basis, and see how things go. Hopefully, if we have steady business, if we can keep going on this way, then we will remain open."

The eatery will be offering specials, coupons and discounts, Rodriguez said.

Speaking with Patch, Rodriguez said EmpanadaVille was opened after she'd worked in radio for 20 years.

"For 10 of those years, I had an online flan business, shipping flan all over the county," she said. "My dream was always to open up a small restaurant. I spent my childhood cooking by my mom’s side and tasting everything. After 20 years in radio, I decided the next step was to open this restaurant. I took all of my family’s recipes and everything I had learned through the years and put all of that in our menu."

The restaurant is an homage to her childhood, she said. "When I was little there were places like us all over Brentwood, and one by one, they closed. So there hasn’t been anything authentic like us around in awhile. It’s part of my childhood, really, and also my childhood dream. Funny, now I have customers from Brentwood that come out here to Mastic Beach."

Reflecting on the community's response to the GoFundMe, Rodriguez said: "I was overwhelmed by the response from Long Island and I can’t believe the outpouring of love and support we received. It was totally unexpected."

The obstacles have been difficult, she said: "Increasing prices of food and supplies, not to mention everything els, has also increased. We can’t increase prices every month like our suppliers."

But she doesn't lose sight of her goal: "To be a woman and actually living a dream I had as a little girl makes me feel proud. As though I’m giving something to the community that is unique and hard to find. I feel extremely grateful and blessed and honored for this opportunity."

Rodriguez, the owner of EmpanadaVille, posted the GoFundMe, "Keep EmpanadaVille Open" last week.

The GoFundMe explained that her take-out restaurant serves authentic Puerto Rican specialties including empanadas, alcapurria, rellenos de papa, sorullos, and other staples.

"We’ve been in business 9 years; soon it would be 10 years," she said.

But like so many other small businesses, 2023 was a difficult year to navigate financially. "Prices have skyrocketed — and we cannot keep changing our prices to keep up with increasing costs," she said.

The fundraising will continue, with the aim of keeping the doors open in the coming year. But if that proves impossible down the road, funds raised will be used to help bolster the catering arm of the eatery.

"Thank you so much for keeping EmpanadaVille alive, one way or another!" Rodriguez said.

Many expressed their support on social media: "Empanadaville is a staple in our community," one man wrote. "They make incredible authentic food and easily the best and freshest empanadas I’ve ever tasted — and they’ve also been quick to donate to other causes in the past. Mastic Beach needs Empanadaville!"

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.