El Paseo Owner Dies

The local service industry community was left reeling Thursday at the loss of El Paseo Bar & Grill owner, Matt Chavez, who was found dead in his home by longtime friend and employee Sara Chapman. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

"I'm still not really sure how or what happened, but I spoke with the family, and they are still trying to decide whether they want to keep it open or not, and I'm hoping they do since El Paseo is my family," employee Leahi Mayfield says. "It's all so surreal…I still feel like I'm supposed to go back to work on Tuesday."

News of Chavez' death also struck a major blow for Santa Fe musicians, as the club had long been a live music venue and Chavez an ardent supporter of up-and-coming local acts.

"El Paseo was a labor of love for Matt, and a lot of us were really shocked," local musician Mikey Baker (Gluey Brothers, Moby Dick) tells SFR. "He was a cornerstone of the Santa Fe music scene, and he always tried to take care of local musicians. So many of us built up a name there."

A Facebook post on Saturday announced a memorial service for Monday, Nov. 23, at 5 pm. The public is invited to gather in front of the restaurant at 208 Galisteo St. Another Facebook post explained that El Paseo is closing its doors for an unknown period of time.

Santa Fe police report they are investigating the death.

Santa Fe Reporter