HILLSBORO, WIs. – The city of Hillsboro in Western Vernon County, a community known for its deep Czech heritage, is not exactly the place you would guess Wisconsin’s first Nicaraguan restaurant would open, but that is exactly what happened Friday night. Husband and wife Kevin Gonzales and Yariba Cerda held a grand opening for La Marimba Nicaraguan Cuisine in Hillsboro along with the community, city and state officials.

This grand opening was not like your usual Midwestern grand opening, it took on the feel of a festival with marimba music, both the U.S. and Nicaraguan national anthem, four traditional folk dance performances, and after the ribbon cutting, lots of Nicaraguan cuisine.

Gonzales and Cerda are now owners of three businesses in the area, besides La Marimba they own The Power Station in Hillsboro, a beverage shop that specializes in energizing teas, healthy shakes, protein coffee, and a similar business in Westby called Westup Nutrition.

Snapper Verbsy attended the event as a representative of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and welcomed the new businesses.

“It’s always nice to see small businesses opening in this small town,” said Verbsy. “Especially downtown. Any sort of revitalization is awesome. So from the chamber, and in this situation the Hillsboro Brewing Company as well, congratulations and the best of luck.”

Mayor Greg Kubarski echoed Verbsky’s comments.

“This is very much a first for Hillsboro and I thinks it’s probably a first for the state of Wisconsin,” said Kubarski. “We hope that is really going to contribute to our community, which we are are sure it is. You guys have really been digging in and doing a great job in our community. This is going to grow. Kevin and Yariba, we really appreciate your dedication to our community and this really exciting this for us and the whole region. Thanks for thinking of Hillsboro.”

Andrew Nussbaum with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism express his congratulations to the owners and the community.

“This is why I love Wisconsin,” said Nussbaum. “A Friday night, downtown Hillsboro, Western Wisconsin, the Driftless region. I can just keep adding up the all the reasons why it’s so cool to be here, and now the very first Nicaraguan restaurant in the state of Wisconsin, how cool is that? Right here in Hillsboro.”

City Administrator Josh Finch said he worked closely with Gonzales and Cerda to make the restaurant a reality and applauded their hard work to create not just one, but three businesses in the area.

“As the city administrator for the city of Hillsboro there are a lot of things I touch on,” said Finch. “Economic development and personal relations, and being able to work with Kevin and Yariba over the last year and a half has been a true delight. You’ve got two individuals that are so hard working, and so dedicated to development as a whole. To go from being a teacher to now owning three businesses is incredible. Talk about living the American dream. I am so proud of everything Kevin and Yariba are doing. Thank you for all that you are doing. Thank you for coming to Hillsboro, and thank you for trusting all of us to make your dream happen.”

Gonzales recognized all the people that helped him and his wife get to where they are. Gonzales recognized his religious faith and his wife Yariba, and their parents, and said numerous extended family members are a part of the business. Gonzales recognized a number of community members that have given them advice and guidance including City Administrator Josh Finch.

“I remember going to his office and he was really a little skeptical in the beginning,” said Gonzales. “But with determination, God’s help and our families help, and our friends help, it was possible. So I want to say thank you, Josh.”

La Marimba is located at 824 Water Avenue, Hillsboro, and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.