Goodbye (for now) Paz Cantina, Return of "Hollywood," and the Chicago debut of Irish Medalist John Joe Nevin

Goodbye Paz Cantina .....for now. 

Photo by Lauren Saria / Phoenix New Times

I don't know that I would be writing this if Paz Cantina, located at 3rd st & Roosevelt in Phoenix, were just planning to celebrate its first birthday on Saturday. While that is on deck for the weekend, the taco spot, which has hosted luchadors, ping pong tournaments, gallery showings, charity pig roasts, and countless fundraisers (to the tune of $58,000 raised over the last year), will shut its doors Sunday, just one year and one day after its opening. The closure is temporary, as a developer revamps the corner into apartment homes.  Thanks to the community, though, there will be a place for Paz Cantina in the new development.  

When Michael Reyes, owner of the self-described "modern taqueria," opened the doors, he knew the clock was ticking, and that the landowner had plans to sell the prime spot.  Where some people would have walked away, Reyes, drawn by the energy of the corner in the heart of the downtown Phoenix art district, decided to make a run at his own concept.  "I had opened 46 restaurants for other people," said Reyes. "46 restaurants!  It took a toll on me physically.  I was always their Mexican. The guy that did the work.  I learned, though.  I reaped my payment in education."  

I met Michael Reyes in May of this year, when Jose Benavidez, Jr. defended his title for the first time here in Phoenix.  What struck me is Reyes' obvious commitment to his community.  After moving to Phoenix from Texas twelve years ago, Reyes experienced an epiphany of sorts and "killed his ego," as he described it. He committed to becoming more selfless and community-oriented. When we talked in May, he expressed his desire to help the boxing community however he could.  This weekend, he opens his restaurant's doors to the Arizona State Silver Gloves Championships.  "It's sort of selfish, doing these things.  I like boxing because my father liked boxing. I went to watch the Golden Gloves and pay-per-view events my whole life. Selfishly there's a little motive in there. They are nostalgic for me. Both my parents are gone. Doing these events for the community helps remind me of where I came from ...remembering all the carne asadas we had for boxing events at our house, which were always epic." 

Photo by John Samora / The Republic

"Why Paz," I asked Reyes, who shared the personal story that led to the simple and enduring name.  It came during a particularly tumultuous time in his life, where he and his wife had been, for all intents and purposes, robbed in an investment scam.  Reyes sought comfort in the word "Peace," the epitome of all he wanted in his life.  He wrote down the word in Spanish and was inspired by its simplicity and message.  I asked Reyes if he is more at peace these days. "I am definitely at peace...the support of our hard work from the community is evident.  It's so assuring, so warm.  They 're telling us 'you did good and we're going to support you and be here'."  I don't think the community's support is misplaced, as Reyes has made it his mission to support "little brown organizations," as he calls them, even including community in Paz Cantina's mantra:  "Cultura, Comunidad and Comida."  

On the morning of Monday, November 9th, I'll be thinking of Michael Reyes, who has been up early for over a year, building a taco shop so beloved in its community that local voices swayed the developers to allow Paz to re-open in the same spot. He shared that he thinks Monday will be a more difficult start than Sunday morning, after waking early for so long, tired, but eager to put in work at his creation.  After speaking with Reyes, I have a feeling Monday morning will likely see him still up early, working on artwork or the menu for his new mobile truck, Paz to the People, that will serve the community during the development.  The new concept will include new world flavors, and will continue Reyes' commitment to the community, including artwork promoting the "Rock the Vote" movement that is close to his heart.  

If you're in the Phoenix area, make sure to visit Paz Cantina this weekend for the Silver Gloves to enjoy some local amateur boxing, and see the amazing murals that adorn the exterior of Paz, painted by some of Phoenix's most talented street artists, before they're gone forever.    

Goodbye Paz...for now. 

Special thanks to Michael Reyes for your time, and to Ralph Velez for the introduction.

Boxing Notes

- Sent a press release this week for Hitz Boxing about Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez's return to the ring in Chicago on November 25th. Hollywood (this is how he is in my phone which causes me to ask for his number every time I work on his fights because I think I don't have it...but I digress) is coming off of a KO win in Australia.  Just before that he fought on the Pacquiao-Mayweather undercard versus Jesse Hart.  One thing promoter Bobby Hitz mentioned today was the fact that Hollywood didn't go mope around after his loss to Hart...he got right back into camp and was ready when he was offered a fight in Australia, where he'd gone as a sparring partner.




- I'm working on some press for John Joe Nevin, who also fights on the Hitz card in Chicago.  Nevin won the Silver Medal as an Olympian for his home country of Ireland.  He's now here in the states, and will be very busy over the next year, since signing with Cameron Dunkin. If you've followed fellow Dunkin signee Ed Brown since May, you'll have an idea just how busy the Irish prospect will be.  Brown, by the way, also fights on the Hitz card November 25th.  I guess what I'm saying is... you probably want to hit up that show if you're in the Chicago area on Thanksgiving Eve.  21 years & older. 

- I'm excited about a new project I'm working on - the launch of a new promotional outfit (not based in Phoenix, for anyone wondering).  We're working on logo and web design now, and I hope to be able to share info on it very soon.  This is some exciting stuff. 

- I hope Rios knocks Tim Bradley's ungrateful block off. That's all I'll say on that topic.

Okay bye. 

You can find me on most social media platforms as @emilyboxing.