Mercedes Lopez-Duran

Owner & CEO, El Granjero Mexican Grill
Entrepreneur

Originally from Mexico City, Mercedes Lopez-Duran grew up in a humble home, raised by her grandmother and siblings. She left school to get married at an early age and started a family. New to the restaurant business, she developed a passion for cooking and learned customer service skills while working in different restaurants in Mexico.

Lopez-Duran faced many challenges when she moved to Grand Rapids in 2005, including language barriers and depression from being far away from family and her hometown. But when she had the opportunity to take over a local restaurant, El Granjero Mexican Grill was born! With a rebrand and fresh menu, Lopez-Duran grew the restaurant from $60,000 in revenue in 2007 to close to $1 million as of last year, increasing her catering services to 30% and providing employment to 100 people over 17 years. Today, Lopez-Duran is also a partner at the new Mercadito Mexican Eats & Treats, bringing a street-food inspired menu to GR’s Westside for the first time.

Lopez-Duran says, “It’s critical to build your village. Owning a business, especially a restaurant, is something you cannot do on your own. I’m thankful for the community among other restaurant owners because we support one another and offer knowledge and even resources to ensure everyone does well.”