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Villa Mexico owner Julie King hopes to move her Beacon Hill business to a new location just 80 feet away, but she tells Eater that despite remaining hopeful, she feels the process has been frustrating and unfair. "To be honest this is my only chance, because I cannot afford the higher rent. And I don't want to leave Beacon Hill because I have been working here for six years," says King.
Until now she has served her Mexican cooking out of a gas station on Cambridge St. and has been trying to move to Grove St. since May, when she learned that plans for the building would make her current space unavailable. King raised funds for the relocation through a Kickstarter campaign and was offered a new space at an affordable rent by sympathetic customers, but she claims that an influential local property owner has made it harder for her to obtain her new permit.
"Unfortunately there is only one lady who has been complaining and she owns some buildings on Grove Street and has been giving us a hard time and doesn't want us to open," says King.She adds: "It seems like the rich people have more influence than a small, local business." King says she spoke with Mayor Menino's office and was told that obtaining the permit would be difficult because of the complaints registered.
"I feel a little frustrated, because mister Menino is a very nice person but his website is saying 'we support small business and we support local business and we want it to succeed,' but unfortunately, yesterday I went to ask for his support and I didn't see much support."
She was told that a strong showing would help her case and hopes that her community will lend its support at the upcoming zoning board hearing. For information on the event, see the restaurant's Facebook page.
· All Villa Mexico coverage on Eater [-EB-]
