CHANDLER, AZ — He thought he was ready to walk away, but his customers had other plans.
After nearly three decades in restaurants, the owner of a beloved South Chandler burrito shop, Rita's Burritos, decided it was time for a new chapter and announced he was closing for good.
What happened next stunned him.
Within hours, his phone lit up nonstop with texts, calls, and messages from a community that wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
The overwhelming response didn’t just save a restaurant; it reignited a passion.
In the video player above, ABC15's Cameron Polom shows how a neighborhood rallied around a small business owner to make a big impact.
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