FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — A popular taco stand in Fresno has been forced to shut down less than a year after opening, following a cease-and-desist order from the county.
Tacos El Cabezon, located at the corner of Shaw and Maroa avenues, is no longer allowed to operate, according to county officials, who cited traffic concerns and permitting issues.
Although the restaurant’s sign remains up, no food will be served there for the foreseeable future.
The Fresno County ordered owner Armando Arias to cease operations, saying the business failed to submit a required site plan, a standard requirement for all businesses.
Officials also pointed to increased traffic in the area as a concern.
The location had quickly grown in popularity, often drawing long lines of customers eager to try Arias’ tacos.
“This is still my baby,” Arias said. “There are a lot of things that we’ve done in the community we’ve been able to give back because of this location, because of the success we had here.”
Arias said he attempted to comply with county requirements by hiring a company to create the necessary site plan, but the company backed out. By the time he hired a freelancer to complete the application, he says the county would no longer accept it.
“I show up to the planning division department, and while I’m there, they all tell me we can’t accept your application, and we can’t even help you process it. We can’t even take your payment,” Arias said.
He received the cease-and-desist order in mid-February and was forced to vacate the property the following day.
Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld said the county had made multiple attempts to bring the business into compliance before taking action.
“The county contacted him several times to initiate that. He didn’t do it,” Bredefeld said. “Finally, they sent a cease and desist letter because he was not in compliance, most importantly, he didn’t comply with county requirements.”
The closure has taken both an emotional and financial toll on Arias. He said he has had to lay off seven employees and will continue paying rent on the location for the next three months despite being unable to operate.
“It hurts me deep down inside that I’m having to go through this because no small business should ever have to go through this,” Arias said.
In response, Arias has launched a petition calling for changes that would allow small businesses to operate more easily at the Shaw and Maroa location.
It has already gathered signatures, though the exact number was not immediately available.
County officials maintain they support local businesses but emphasize the importance of following regulations.
“We want all businesses to operate in Fresno and Fresno County,” Bredefeld said. “We are very pro-business and very user-friendly, but we expect people to follow rules.”