Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | May 5, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 11 it as an opportunity to put food on his own family's table while learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business. Over the years, his knowledge of the business grew to the point where he felt he was ready to open a restaurant of his own. Aer both him and his wife worked two jobs for years to save up enough cash, in 2007 he purchased a restaurant called Dario's Brick Oven in Lunenburg. e restaurant's reputation was less than stellar before he purchased it, but without the money to purchase a new sign, he had no choice but to stick with the Dario's name and try to earn back the trust of local diners. "It was like swimming against the current," Elmer said. "It was a lot of tears, lots of sweat, with some blood, but we never quit. It was a lot of trial and error." e four-year period aer opening the original Dario's in 2007 was some of the toughest times the couple had dealt with, coupled with the challenges of the Great Recession, said Delmy Melendez. "We were very young in the industry and learning how to run the business," she said. "Honestly, I don't know how we got through that time." Delmy was still working a full-time job at that point to help support her hus- band's dream before eventually joining him at the restaurant in 2010. On-the-job lessons By the time he purchased Dario's, El- mer had plenty of restaurant experience, but this would be the first time he had to manage a staff. e first, and perhaps hardest, lesson to learn was one he says is the downfall of many owners in the business: Not micromanaging the staff. "I was the worst micromanager that you could see," Elmer said. "at was my style. It was the only thing I knew. I lost a couple of good employees because of my ego." Eventually, he learned he needed to give staff the right tools and the right training, and then trust them to do their jobs. Beyond learning the tough lesson of letting his staff do what they've been hired to do, Melendez said the success of his business comes down to high-quality ingredients "By buying the best ingredients, you're already winning half the battle," he said. Additionally, the kitchen must be spotless. e ideas of having a clean restaurant and using good ingredients may sound simple, he said, but once you opt for that cheaper shipment of tomatoes or decide tonight's cleaning can be put off until tomorrow, that can be the beginning of a bad habit that can sink a business. Aer learning how to run a restau- rant, Elmer would go on to open Dario's Ristorante on Fitchburg's River Street. en another challenge presented itself: e global COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily by that point, Dario's reputa- tion had been turned around, with his brand having established a dedicated and loyal following. Takeout hadn't been a focus of his business before COVID, but it would be that constant stream of customers lining up to pick up meals during the lockout down that kept the business afloat. Elmer's own health battle aer contract- ing COVID gave him a new perspective on life and even more passion for his business. "I don't think I would be open today if it wasn't for the community," he said. Expanding the brands With the worst of the pandemic over, he turned his attention to expansion. Aer noticing a lack of high-quality Hispanic food in northern Worcester County, in 2021 he opened Tacos Te- quilas Mexican Cocina in Fitchburg and Bandoleros Mexican Grill in Devens. PHOTOS | MATT WRIGHT Elmer Melendez credits the support of his wife Delmy for helping the business make it through its early years. SMALL BUSINESS F O C U S The growing Melendez resturaunt portfolio After the success of Dario's, Elmer Melen- dez and his wife Delmy have had their eyes on expansion. Resturaunt Opening date Tacos Tequilas Mexican Cocina, Fitchburg 2021 Bandoleros Mexican Grill, Devens 2021 Dario's on Main, Fitchburg 2023 Bandoleros Mexican Grill, Concord 2024 Dario's Concord Summer 2025 Source: Elmer & Delmy Melendez Eventually, he decided to fully join the ongoing revitalization efforts in Downtown Fitchburg, closing his Lunenburg location and moving his other Dario's location to Fitchburg's Main Street in 2023. He then set his eyes on Concord, opening a Bandoleros location in 2024. He's putting the finish- ing touches on a second Dario's location in Concord set to open later this year. All of this is part of an ambitious goal to open one restaurant per year for the foreseeable future. "We don't want to stretch ourselves too thin, but we're going to decide when it's too thin," he said. "It's exciting," Delmy said of the new ventures. "We do a lot, but we never stop." For Mayor Squalia, Elmer and Delmy have become an important part of the local community. "Whenever we need something, he's there," she said. "Whenever someone wants to partner with Elmer, he's there for it. He's committed to Fitchburg." "I don't think I would be open today if it wasn't for the community." Elmer Melendez, on Fitchburg's support of his businesses during COVID W After fleeing El Salvador in search of a better life 25 years ago, Elmer Melendez is a well-regarded restaurant owner, who is eyeing expansion.

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