Red Mesa’s ‘Mercado West’ closes this month in St. Pete, after less than a year in business

St. Petersburg’s Mercado West Credit: mercadoeats / Facebook

Less than two months after Red Mesa Cantina abruptly and dramatically closed in downtown St. Petersburg, another Red Mesa concept is closing its doors.

Red Mesa Group announced Wednesday that Mercado West, its Cali-Mex restaurant at 6001 Central Ave., will permanently close later this month, after less than a year in business.

“After much thought—and ultimately a very sudden and difficult decision—we have made the decision to permanently close Mercado West.” The company wrote in a statement posted to social media.

“We worked hard to adapt the concept, but after months of trying, it was no longer sustainable,” the statement reads. “While economic challenges certainly played a role, we recognize that those challenges and our own economic risks are part of being business owners. We gave it everything we had, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”

Mercado West, which opened last fall two years after it was announced, will remain open through Aug. 16 while the company gives employees notice and works to place staff members at its remaining restaurants. Red Mesa started the year with four St. Pete locations; just two remain as the summer comes to a close.

Despite Mercado West’s closure, Red Mesa Group said its remaining restaurants, Mercado in the Edge District and the original Red Mesa Restaurant on 4th Street N, will continue operating.

“We hope you’ll continue supporting them and the many locally owned businesses that make our community special,” the company wrote.

To mark its final days, Mercado West announced a farewell “liquid-ation sale” featuring discounted drinks through its final day of service.

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This article appears in Aug. 06-12, 2026.

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