Maya Cafe in Maplewood will close next week

Maplewood pan-Latin eatery Maya Cafe announced today, Dec. 10, that it will close doors after dinner service on Dec. 21. 

“It’s been a conversation. [Owner] Jay [Schober] is 73 now and decided that he was ready to retire,” said general manager Dana Merritt, who said she intends to leave the industry, as well.

Open for more than 18 years, the restaurant at 2726 Sutton Ave., was known for its Latin American fare and won numerous area accolades, including taking top honors at Taste of Maplewood the past four years. 

“The community itself is one of those places where neighbors help neighbors, businesses help businesses. We want each other to grow and strive together,” Merritt said. “If I needed a cup of sugar from The Crow’s Nest, I could go over there, and they would give it to me. I love that the community and the chamber support all these small businesses.”

Adam Rothbarth is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.