Northeast Ohio’s business startup scene is witnessing a cultural shift as Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew opened June 10 at 13133 Shaker Square, marking a significant milestone as Ohio’s first Mexican-owned microbrewery. The establishment represents both the return of beloved restaurateur Reynaldo “Rey” Galindo and the broader transformation of Shaker Square after $5 million in renovations by Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc.
Galindo, whose family operated the legendary Luchita’s Mexican Restaurant for 40 years until its closure in 2022, took seven months to build his vision of combining fast-casual Mexican street food with craft brewing. The restaurant serves traditional antojitos like tacos, quesadillas, and burritos alongside haute cuisine dishes including mole, cochinita pibil, and chiles rellenos. Brewing equipment is being finalized with plans to produce beer within the year, complemented by special Mexican-made mezcal offerings.
The Shaker Square location reflects a broader trend toward entertainment-hybrid concepts across Northeast Ohio. Birdietown Mini Golf and Lounge in Lakewood combines food service with indoor golf, while Urban Meyer’s Pint House strategically positions near major Cleveland sports venues to capture event traffic year-round.
Business analysts credit this evolution to commercial real estate pressures forcing creative space utilization. These hybrid concepts command higher rent-to-revenue ratios while creating distinctive experiences that resist online competition, positioning Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs as innovators in the post-pandemic business landscape.
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