La Paz ends nine-year run at Mt. Laurel site
The owners of La Paz, a Mexican restaurant that has served diners in the Mt. Laurel and Dunnavant Valley area for nearly a decade, announced this week that the Mt. Laurel location will close permanently. The announcement, posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page, came after the restaurant had been closed for repairs since last month.
La Paz opened the Mt. Laurel location nine years ago and became a regular spot for birthday parties, family dinners and community gatherings. In the Facebook post, the business said it had “loved being part of the Mt Laurel and Dunnavant Valley community,” but added that when repairs were finished it would not reopen that site.
“What a great trip it’s been. The birthday parties, team dinners, high school reunions, wedding celebrations, the everyday family meals and the ongoing Tuesday Trivia competition… Sadly, we will not be reopening when all the repairs are done. It is time for La Paz to move on and start a new chapter. We thank you for all the memories and the friendships made over the last 9 years.”
The announcement did not detail the specific repairs that prompted the temporary closure or what led to the decision to make the closing permanent. The Mt. Laurel site had been closed for at least several weeks while the restaurant handled unspecified repair work.
Impact on staff and patrons
La Paz’s decision removes a long-standing dining option for residents of the Mt. Laurel and Dunnavant Valley neighborhoods. Regular patrons who relied on the Mt. Laurel location for weekly trivia nights and milestone celebrations will now need to travel to one of the chain’s remaining sites.
- Remaining La Paz locations: Mountain Brook and Ross Bridge
- Location closing: Mt. Laurel (permanent)
- Duration at Mt. Laurel: 9 years
The restaurant’s post thanked customers for their patronage and the friendships made over the years but did not mention whether staff would be offered positions at the Mountain Brook or Ross Bridge locations. The Facebook post expressed gratitude for the community’s support but left questions about employment transitions and vendor relationships unanswered.
What this means for the local dining scene
Mt. Laurel and the surrounding Dunnavant Valley area have seen steady retail and dining growth over the past decade, with an expanding mix of local and regional restaurants serving residents and destination visitors. The permanent loss of La Paz’s Mt. Laurel outpost marks a shift in the neighborhood’s restaurant mix and could create an opening for other operators to fill the niche for casual Mexican dining and group-friendly events.
For now, diners seeking La Paz’s menu — including its chicken quesadilla and other items highlighted in coverage of the restaurant — can visit the locations that remain open in Mountain Brook and Ross Bridge. The company did not provide a timetable for any new openings or plans to replace the Mt. Laurel site.
| Site | Status |
|---|---|
| Mt. Laurel | Closing (permanent) |
| Mountain Brook | Open |
| Ross Bridge | Open |
Local diners and former Mt. Laurel regulars expressed surprise on social media at the announcement, saying they hoped the restaurant would reopen after repairs. The owners’ message framed the decision as a deliberate move to “start a new chapter,” but provided few specifics about what that chapter might include.
As the area adapts, local restaurateurs and commercial property owners will watch whether another concept takes the former La Paz footprint or whether nearby competitors expand to meet demand. For customers, the immediate change is practical: group events and weekly gatherings at the Mt. Laurel La Paz will need new homes.
WE NEWS will follow up with the restaurant and local business leaders for details about staff transitions, possible redevelopment of the property and any broader effects on the Mt. Laurel dining corridor.
