While Brian Sirhal‘s Cantina Feliz had long enjoyed success and acclaim for its culinary offerings in Fort Washington, he recognized that relocating to Ambler would serve the restaurant’s best interests. When Helen Graner, Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer at Ambler Savings Bank, got the call from Sirhal for the property he planned to use in Ambler, she knew she could help.
“I’ve been near Ambler for the past 13-14 years, watching it grow into a thriving community with great restaurants and businesses,” said Sirhal. “It’s been on the upswing, with increasing foot traffic and a lively Main Street feel. In contrast, Fort Washington felt more isolated — successful, but separate. So when the opportunity in Ambler came up, it was a no-brainer.”
Graner recognized the visibility challenges of the Fort Washington location and knew that a loan to move Sirhal’s restaurant to Ambler’s thriving downtown would be a game-changer. Her connection with Sirhal began through a referral from the property’s seller, and with Ambler Savings Bank being the go-to local bank, partnering with them was a natural fit.
Designing a New Experience in Ambler
“Brian was seeking funds for the acquisition of the Ambler building,” explained Graner. “The person who referred him to Ambler Savings Bank was selling the property, and Brian used our loan to purchase it. Additionally, he needed construction funds to renovate the space, transforming it from the existing restaurant into his envisioned concept.”
That concept is indeed a transformation, with the Aqua-blue doors and striking signage being enough to lure anyone in for a midday meal, dinner, or craft cocktail and appetizer in a casual yet refined dining experience. The Ambler space is highly walkable, making it ideal for families and friends out strolling and looking for a casual place to dine.
“The design process started with a great canvas,” said Sirhal. “We wanted bold, festive colors on the exterior to reflect the restaurant’s lively spirit, and that carried over inside. What drew me to the space was its openness and the larger bar—about 10 more seats than our previous spot. To me, the bar sets the energy for the entire restaurant, so we focused on refreshing and brightening it to enhance the overall vibe.”
Cantina Feliz, with its Ambler location at 111 E. Butler Ave. and location in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia (2321 Fairmount Avenue), specializes in transforming ingredients into Mexican-inspired dishes rooted in tradition while using modern cooking techniques to create imaginative dishes and creative cocktails. The result is an exceptional culinary experience accompanied by a laid-back atmosphere for guests. And as for menu fan favorites, Graner hails the grilled shrimp tacos. Sirhal agrees but also states that the nachos are incredibly popular.
“The nachos are always a hit; I’d say they’re pretty much life-changing, a top-tier contender in the world of nachos,” he said.
Local Banking, Local Success
“Ambler Savings Bank is great because they truly support their clients,” said Sirhal. “If I ever have questions or issues, I can call or email Helen, and she responds right away. They know the community, the local government, and the key officials, making them an invaluable resource for navigating everyday challenges, whether it’s figuring out who to contact for permits or other township matters.”
Graner agrees, emphasizing that as a small community bank, they can make decisions quickly and locally, without sending paperwork to another office or state where strangers decide the outcome.
“Everyone here met Brian the day he walked in, even just to explore his options,” said Graner. “That personal connection makes a big difference.”
As a long-time business owner in the Montgomery County area, Sirhal’s top advice for other business owners is simple: Talk to other businesses, and get to know, the people in your community.
“I always recommend talking to people in the community — that’s how opportunities happen,” said Sirhal. “In my case, I ran into the former restaurant owner at a coffee shop and casually mentioned that if anything opened up in Ambler in the next year or two, I’d love to know. It turned out he was looking to scale down, and his partner wanted to sell the building. That conversation set everything in motion. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; you never know what might come from it.”
Learn more at Ambler Savings Bank.
