A sign hanging on the front of what used to be the Eric and Laura’s Cafe location has some people in Roan Mountain buzzing with excitement.

According to the sign, the Puerto Nuevo Mexican and Seafood Restaurant will soon be moving into the now empty building.

“I’m excited,” said Carter County Commissioner

Mike Hill. “It is great that somebody that is a little larger scale operation has looked at Roan Mountain and said, ‘Woah, they are coming on with it. Hey, look they are an Appalachian Trail community. Let’s move into there.’ I love it, and I would love to see more of that.”

Puerto Nuevo also has a location in Banner Elk, N.C. which is about 24 minutes up the road from Roan Mountain.

Hill, whose district covers Roan Mountain, Hampton, and Tiger Valley said that he feels Puerto Nuevo will make a perfect fit with the other food establishments that are already in Roan Mountain.

“The exciting thing is they are not in direct conflict with any other restaurant in my district,” said Hill. “They don’t sell biscuit and gravy. They don’t sell Bar-B-Que. They don’t sell pizza, and they don’t sell cheese burgers. So, this will be a compliment to everything.”

Hill also said he feels that Puerto Nuevo could be another puzzle piece to drawing people to Roan Mountain.

“Having six different restaurants with really good food is an attractor. I don’t care what anyone says.”

An exact opening date is not yet clear. However, a manager at the Banner Elk location said it should be roughly two months before the Roan Mountain location is ready for business.