Last call at Jaime's Spanish Village

AUSTIN (KXAN) - For the last year, Jann Alexander has devoted her life to capturing Austin icons before they disappear.

"You'd be surprised,” Alexander said, squinting, as she looked through her camera at the big, yellow sign outside Tex-Mex food favorite, Jaime’s Spanish Village on Red River .

"It's the death nail for the Austin I really fell in love with and moved here for, because I'm really attracted to a lot of these small businesses and unique flair,” she said.

The Austin Details artist referred to those businesses now forgotten, bulldozed, or, like Jaime's, closed down. Her Vanishing Austin photo series highlights the places that made the city what it once was but are now gone or endangered.

"Little did I know, some of the ones I just flipply called 'Endangered Species of Austin' actually did kind of bite the dust after I photographed them,” she said.

Once a Spanish bull fighter, Jaime Tames took over the Spanish Village and cared for customers 40 years ago, leaving it with his family after he died.

"If we're going to have to close, this is a great way to do it. We've been so busy,” said his niece, Salma Manzur. “So many people have come in from out of town to show support. Happy to be a part of this. It's a good way to go."

On Friday, Jaime’s would close its doors for good. Unable to work out a new rent agreement with the owner, his family had no other option but to shut down.

For the last month, the profit has gone to the workers who would lose their jobs. The staff said customers have been more than generous.

"It's been here for a long time,” said Julie Cantu, one of those customers. “I've been coming here for years."

A taste of his tradition will live on through the sales of Jaime’s Red and Green salsas, as well as Jaime’s Queso. They are now available at Whole Foods and Central Market in Austin, Houston and Dallas and at Royal Blue Grocery in Austin.

Fans might soon get another taste once Alexander opens her new gallery in downtown Austin on September 16 and expands her list of the city's endangered landmarks to include Jaime's.

"Let's hope whatever replaces it has its own unique stamp, too,” she said.

Jaime’s will open at 11 a.m. Friday and stay open until the last customer leaves. The restaurant is located at 802 Red River St. The family says it would consider opening in a new location some day, but it is a very distant dream.