Ardmore’s Autana has closed its doors for good, reports Michael Klein for The Philadelphia Inquirer. But that’s not the end for the Venezuelan family behind it.

The restaurant started out of a ghost kitchen during the pandemic and quickly grew a following across from the Ardmore Train Station. But the Hernandez family who ran Autana could not come to an agreement with their landlord. They closed last weekend after four years of business. 

Daughter Maria Jose-Hernandez, who runs the business, said this is “a little step back to do bigger things.”

The family promises to be back to serve their Venezuelan dishes. They worked a surprise pop-up event at the not-yet-open Baby’s Kusina & Market in Brewerytown. Fans gathered to eat their empanaditas, tequenos, and arepas. 

“I just feel grateful that even though we don’t have the location anymore, people still follow us and are rooting for us,” Hernández said.

Autana will open in the north Center Food Nest, a ghost kitchen in the city, to serve takeout as they work toward their next move. The plan is to open a restaurant in the city. The Hernandez family says to watch their Instagram for updates.

Read more about Ardmore’s Autana and the Hernandez family’s next move at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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