Static: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Zamba Mambo

Holy guacamole! Static hauled its rumbling belly to the 1500 block of North Main Street last week to gobble tasty cuisine at a favorite eatery, Café Zamba, and then cursed after finding the door locked and pasted with an ominous letter addressed to Zamba’s owners. The letter was difficult to read through tear-filled eyes, but said something along the lines of “your lease ... has been terminated by Guadiana Investment Corporation for non-payment of rent.”

What’s more, the funky little home decorating business next door, Chiffoniers, had a sign in its window saying its space was available for lease. What the?! Both businesses are located in the North Main Street Plaza historic building owned by Deyla Guadiana, who is preparing to break ground across the street on a $4 million Fort Worth Mercado. Would lost tenants at the plaza alter her plans to build a three-story building across the street, with spaces to be leased to merchants?

Hardly. Guadiana, a never-say-die kind of entrepreneur, vows that ground will be broken for the Mercado any day now, as soon as the city quits nitpicking her to death about her plans. She shuttered Café Zamba a week ago because restaurant owners hadn’t paid rent in six months, she said. Since then, numerous potential tenants have contacted her, she said.

Chiffoniers, which is French for a merchant selling for old stuff, is moving to another part of town only because of a family matter. “We’ve had great business here,” co-owner Susan Jose said.

What a (Betty) Crocker

The hubbub at The New York Times regarding former reporter and current dunderhead Jayson Blair’s plagiarism caused newspapers nationwide to scrutinize their own backyards. Static was considering that when word came of the recent departure from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of longtime food editor Beverly Bundy. The rumor mill has a strong and consistent version of the reason for her departure, but she wouldn’t confirm it, and Star-T bosses don’t confer with Static. All Bundy would say is, “I worked there for 17 years and I loved my job.”

Regardless of the official reason, keep in mind that the Startlegram is on a mission to cut costs and boost profit margins, per a directive from Knight-Ridder ownership. Firing a longtime employee who has climbed the salary scale via annual merit raises is something the Star-T has done more than once this year.

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