EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
“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. <\/p>\n
“And I’m all about the change.”<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
“It didn’t feel like we were touching as many people’s souls anymore,” she said.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Economic woes and immigration concerns hit downtown El Paso’s holiday shopping season<\/a><\/p>\n Alongside Joe Vinny & Bronson’s, three other local businesses\u2014Orange Leaf, Singapore Cafe, and Sabertooth Food Company\u2014have announced closures. <\/p>\n Orange Leaf cited increased rent and rising operational costs as reasons for its closure.<\/p>\n Tom Fullerton, a UTEP economics professor, explained that it’s challenging to pinpoint a single reason for the closure of multiple small businesses. <\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n We spoke to locals at Joe Vinny & Bronson’s, who remembered what makes this spot special.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n While the other businesses have already closed, Joe Vinny & Bronson’s will remain open for a few more weeks, with plans to celebrate.<\/p>\n RELATED: Expert predicts mixed economic outlook for Borderland in 2026 amid rising challenges<\/a><\/p>\n