LEXINGTON, Ky. — In downtown Lexington, 23-year-old Christopher Bravo started his own Mexican restaurant at the end of January, right before the pandemic hit.

Bravo said using the community’s support, he’s been able to keep his local business open this past year.

“My whole life in the restaurant business. My father opened the very first Mexican restaurant in Chicago in the 80s. And I kind of just grew up with it, enjoy it,” Bravo said.

El Cid is a Mexican restaurant with authentic Mexican food like tacos, burritos and margaritas. With only being open for a few months when the first round of shutdowns happened the owner says he was nervous he would lose it all.

“First shut down was kind of rough on us because we didn't know what to expect of me being my first restaurant. I didn't know what to even where to even start and me being so young, I had not a whole lot of experience under my belt,” Bravo said.

But thanks to the Lexington community, he has made it through this tough year taking on opening a new business while fighting the challenges of a global pandemic. 

“The community has just been amazing for us and we've been here for only so long, it’s just crazy, I never thought I would feel so much from a community,” Bravo said.

El Cid has been able to expand their menu over the past few months and will continue to keep up with safety protocols with both indoor seating and carry out orders.