EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — Several local businesses in El Paso, including Joe Vinny & Bronson’s, are closing their doors, leaving the community to reflect on the special spaces they created.

Joe Vinny & Bronson’s, a staple in central El Paso for 15 years, is set to close, but owner Christina Munoz remains optimistic about the future.

“I put so much love into this place that I wanted to be able to do it, the service that it deserves and the community,” Munoz said.

“And I’m all about the change.”

Munoz, who has owned the business since 2011, noted that since 2024, she has struggled to maintain the connection with the community that she once prioritized.

“It didn’t feel like we were touching as many people’s souls anymore,” she said.

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Alongside Joe Vinny & Bronson’s, three other local businesses—Orange Leaf, Singapore Cafe, and Sabertooth Food Company—have announced closures.

Orange Leaf cited increased rent and rising operational costs as reasons for its closure.

Tom Fullerton, a UTEP economics professor, explained that it’s challenging to pinpoint a single reason for the closure of multiple small businesses.

“Record keeping and business plans are two areas in which a lot of small businesses struggle, and that limits their access to capital,” Fullerton said.

Despite the closures, Munoz is already planning a new venture, set to include two vintage stores, galleries, and a brewery, aiming to continue fostering community connections.

We spoke to locals at Joe Vinny & Bronson’s, who remembered what makes this spot special.

“The reality is that these are 4 walls, and I really do believe in what they create. Like, I don’t know, I kind of feel like they been teachers and mentors to everyone, regardless of if it was an employee or customer which became friends and family,” said one local.

Another said “I started coming here when I was there, when it first opened in 2011. It was one of my first jobs. It’s where I met my best friends is where I met my husband.”

While the other businesses have already closed, Joe Vinny & Bronson’s will remain open for a few more weeks, with plans to celebrate.

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