Merced Mysteries & Minutiae: Eateries remain open after owner’s sudden death

Earlier this month, Merced foodies mourned the death of one of the town’s popular restaurateurs.

Florencio Aguilar, the owner of La Morenita and Florencio’s, was found dead on April 6 in his home. He was 44.

Florencio’s, at 731 E. Yosemite Ave. in Merced, shut its doors temporarily following his death, and customers, family and friends left flowers and prayer candles outside the restaurant on the patio.

Aguilar’s start in the restaurant business was guided by a woman lauded by the country’s top leaders for her authentic Mexican cuisine: Lupe Cordoba has owned multiple restaurants called La Morenita and even prepared a meal for President Bill Clinton’s inauguration.

Cordoba mentored Aguilar, teaching him her recipes and eventually selling the Merced location of La Morenita on 13th Street to him. She was saddened to hear he died at such a young age.

Q: What is the fate of Florencio’s and La Morenita restaurants since the owner died?

A: Both restaurants remain open, run and managed by Aguilar’s family.

Aguilar’s family wants Merced diners to know the restaurants remain open, and everything will remain the same.

Aguilar’s nephew, Marcos Fuentes, is running Florencio’s.

Fuentes’ aunts – Florencio’s sisters – Martha and Maria are running La Morenita.

Fuentes said he’s received a lot of calls at Florencio’s from customers wondering what’s going on with the restaurants. Patrons have offered their support in the wake of Aguilar’s death and asked about how the family is holding up.

The family wants to assure the restaurant customers: “Nothing has changed at all,” Fuentes said. “Everything is going to be the same.”

The staff is the same, the food is the same, the hours are the same.

Before Aguilar’s death, the family already helped with the restaurants.

Aguilar was loved by his mentor, Cordoba; his customers; and business neighbors.

One Facebook commenter said Aguilar always treated him like he was a special customer. Another said his restaurant success was only overshadowed by his “boyish smile, gentle nature and goodwill toward others.”

Though Aguilar may have left this world, his memory lives on in the festive atmosphere and delicious tastes he created in his restaurants.

And, don’t forget, the restaurant scene in Merced will see multiple new eateries in the coming months.

Soon to come are: Five Guys at 3572 G St. in May; Pizza Factory in the old La Hacienda 1 location; and Steak ’n Shake, which submitted a building application for the old Century Bowl location on Childs Avenue.

One more thing: In case you’re new to reading this column, it’s a place where each week I field questions and suggestions from readers and do my best to find answers or explanations. The only requirement is that the topics must relate to Merced County in some way. That leaves the playing field pretty broad. Please continue to email me and call me with all the questions you come up with in your day-to-day life. As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

This story was originally published May 1, 2016 at 3:27 PM with the headline "Merced Mysteries & Minutiae: Eateries remain open after owner’s sudden death."