NILES — Restaurant owners Jose and Ana Mendez snipped through a red ribbon Thursday night during a grand opening ceremony at El Amigo Pepe, 226 E. Main St., Niles.

El Amigo Pepe originally opened in Niles in 2004. In 2015, Jose and Ana decided to operate their business seasonally out of a food truck. S

ince then, customers advocated for the family to reopen a brick and mortar restaurant. This year, their wish was granted, as El Amigo Pepe opened its new  the downtown Niles location in September.

On Thursday, Niles Mayor Nick Shelton welcomed the business owners back to downtown. District representative Adam Mensinger from state Sen. John Proos office also attended the ceremony and awarded the Mendez family with a commemorative plaque of congratulations.