This is part of our ongoing Business Spotlight series, which interviews local Mt. Pleasant Main Street business owners. 

Today’s post features Haydee Vanegas—a local Mt. Pleasant resident and owner of Haydee’s Restaurant (3102 Mt. Pleasant Street NW). Haydee’s is known for its great atmosphere, superb Hispanic cuisine, and outstanding service.

Tell us a little bit about your business.

My husband and I, the owners of Haydee’s Restaurant, came from El Salvador because we had a dream. A dream of running a successful business. Together we have lived that dream since 1988.

We started working on Haydee’s Restaurant in about 1990 and in May of 1997, we finally got the opportunity to open our current Mount Pleasant location. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid to have a restaurant. I was inspired by seeing other women working at restaurants and taking in how they took good care of people through food.

Since 1988, I have been the bartender and my husband Mario Alas has been the chef.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Haydee’s Vanegas. I moved to Mount Pleasant in 1988, and since then I have fallen in love with the community and helping take care of it.

What is unique about your business?

I believe our multicultural community events are what make us unique! I love our customers and they play a huge role in deciding what goes on in the restaurant. We are also known for being the go to fundraiser spot!

Are you still operating during COVID-19? In what ways?

Yes, we’ve remained open following the Mayors protocols. We’re currently open for dine in, outdoor seating, take out and Uber eats.

Editor’s Note: You can view their menu online. They take reservations for outdoor patio seating. You can email haydee39@verizon.net to make a reservation.

How can the community support you right now?

Our community has been doing a wonderful job supporting us! They’ve shown immense care by checking in on us, helping us out financially.

What is your favorite thing about this community?

The shared interest in keeping the community safe! Everyone wants the best for Mount Pleasant. I also love the multicultural interactions in our community.

If you could tell all of the residents in the Mount Pleasant Main Street area one thing, what would it be?

Thank you for the support! We miss you, and can’t wait to fully come back stronger than ever!

Often when people hear the term ‘Main Street’, they think about business corridors. But many people do not think about the stress and loneliness that many business owners experience while navigating the hurdles of entrepreneurship and running a business—especially during an unprecedented pandemic. Main Street programs all over the country work to make sure that business owners have an advocate and support system so that your favorite local coffee shop or tailor can keep their doors open. Help us continue doing our work by chipping in $10, $100, $1,000 by visiting districtbridges.org/donate.

Donate