Medford Welcomes Margaritas Restaurant

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Group Holds Grand Opening Celebration

Local officials, including Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn and State Representative Paul Donato, attended Margaritas’ grand opening celebration last week. The Mexican restaurant chain opened its latest location at Station Landing. Courtesy photo.

A host of city and state representatives took time recently to officially welcome Margaritas Mexican Restaurant to Medford.

A popular restaurant and lounge that’s developed a loyal following throughout New England for the past 24 years, Margaritas held its Grand Opening celebration at its new Station Landing home in Medford on July 26. The evening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food specials and prize giveaways, including an authentic Mexican Circle of Friends sculpture.

“I could not be more thrilled to be a part of such a welcoming community as Medford,” said Mike Halkiotis, general manager of the Medford Margaritas Mexican Restaurant. “We have been open for a month and we have quickly developed a reputation as the place to be in Medford.”

Offering made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine, each Margaritas restaurant is also a gallery of hand-crafted Mexican artwork. To ensure the restaurant reflects present-day culture with a respect for history, Margaritas founder John Pelletier travels to working artists and manufacturing towns in Mexico to select hundreds of crafts, handmade tiles, pottery and carved tables and chairs.

Among the local dignitaries on hand to welcome Margaritas to the community and assist in the ceremonial ribbon cutting was Medford Mayor Mike McGlynn.

“I want to personally thank Margaritas for being a part of our revitalization at Station Landing,” McGlynn said. “Margaritas is a great member and supporter of our community.”

Massachusetts State Representative Paul J. Donato said he has been a longtime Margaritas Mexican Restaurant fan and was excited to be a part of the grand opening celebration.

“Every time I visit Margaritas, I am overcome by the spirit of hospitality from its warm and welcoming team,” Donato said. “It’s like being on vacation. They have great food and top notch service.”

The Medford restaurant is the 21st for the popular Mexican concept, and the fifth in Massachusetts.

“With many other restaurants closing their doors, Margaritas is proud of the number of jobs we are adding to the state,” Pelletier said. “That number will grow even larger as we plan to open additional Margaritas Mexican Restaurants in the 4th quarter of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.”

As part of the evening’s festivities, which included a Full Moon Margaritas Madness celebration, the restaurant donated 5 percent of all lounge sales to the Portal of Hope charity. Margaritas’ hosts the Full Moon Margarita Madness celebrations each month on the eve of the full moon, with proceeds going to a different local charity each time.

“We are thrilled with the support we have received from the local community in the short time we have been open,” said Dawn Perry, Chief Marketing Officer for Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Group. “Marketing the restaurant comes easily when you strongly believe in your brand. We invite the community to continue to visit and offer many thanks for their passion.”

The Medford Margaritas is located in National Development’s new neighborhood, Station Landing, a multi-use project with direct train access to Wellington Station. To learn more about Margaritas and to receive special promotions, visit www.margs.com and sign up for the restaurant’s E-Club.

About Margaritas Mexican Restaurants

Founded in 1986 by John Pelletier, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Group has 21 locations throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut. From colorful authentic décor to a commitment to community relations through field trips and visiting artist demonstrations, Margaritas provides an atmosphere rich with the culture and flavors of Mexico. In 2009, Margaritas restaurants had a 24.8% EBITDAR, which is significantly higher than most restaurants in the segment. Margaritas Mexican Restaurants have earned numerous awards and honors, including being named the Best Mexican Restaurant in both New Hampshire and Connecticut. Margaritas is franchising for the first time. For more information on Margaritas, visit www.margs.com.

– Information from Margaritas