Op-Ed: An Open Letter to All Friends of Don Pico's

Dear Friends of the Original Don Pico’s and the Mejia Family, 

Firstly, we would like to thank you all for your support. Through this difficult time of our brother’s passing, the love we have felt from the community is absolutely and sincerely appreciated.  Every member of our family was able to read the wonderful comments you have all left, before they were all deleted, and we cannot express how much it warms our hearts to read your wonderful words and memories regarding our family. 

It is unfortunate that through this period of mourning the terrible loss of our only brother, a loss that will never be corrected, a man who could never be replaced, we have to deal with issues that should not have to be dealt with at a time like this, or, for that matter, at any time. 

We, as family, have stuck together and will infinitely do so. Our brother's desires are ours. It is our goal to keep this family’s reputation and our brother’s legacy as prominent and remarkable as he was.  Don Pico’s is our brother’s legacy and we wish we could have kept his restaurant’s history intact. 

Although we would have liked to keep the issues of the business private, public statements have been made that have not allowed us to do so. Don Pico’s has been a Mejia family establishment since 1975, first opened by our parents, Isaac and Herlinda Mejia and successively run by the family. We have worked and grown up there the last 35 years; our children have grown up there as well. In 2006, Don Pico’s became a corporation in the name of Isaac and Lucy Mejia. This is public record. Lucy is now the sole officer of this corporation. Our brother did not leave any known will or trust. We do not wish to contest any legal ownership.

We never voluntarily chose to leave our restaurant. However, we had no choice. Managers were hired without our knowledge. The restaurant, our home where we worked side by side with our brother for 35 years was taken from us just our brother was.  Yes, it is true, we were not fired. We were replaced. We would never quit on our investment, our brother’s legacy, our brother’s dream.   

Prior to our brother’s passing, there was no turmoil or dysfunction in our family or in regards to the restaurant. Our brother owned it and he knew our family always had a place there. This worked for the 13 years he owned it and almost-four decades of Mejia family ownership.  We do not wish any harm or disdain for the new owner or the future of the restaurant and ask that all remain civil with any interaction towards the new owner as respect for our brother Isaac, the love he had for his daughter, Francesca and our parents who have suffered enough. However, the Don Pico’s at the original location will never be the same.  We do plan on keeping our brother’s legacy alive and his memory will always remain in our hearts. 

We appreciate your patience with us as we work through this great loss.  Once again, thank you so much for all your support. Isaac would be so happy to see how much support his dreams, his family and his legacy are receiving. 

Absolutely gracious and sincerely felt,

Anabel, Florencia, Angela and Martha Mejia