Don Myers couldn’t stop talking about his star employee, Erendida Jacobo. Myers, cofounder and partner of Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequila in Brea, speaks of the 28-year-old bartender like a proud dad boasting about his kid.
“When we started creating this concept and thinking about the perfect employee, we talked about a bubbly, attractive young Latina who made people feel good. And boom! This lovely young woman walks in. I said, ‘That’s her!’” Jacobo, the oldest of 11 children in a close-knit Orange County family, was a hit with customers and employees from the day the restaurant opened in 2009.
Myers marvels at Jacobo’s abilities. “Eren’s got this huge smile at all times. She speaks perfect Spanish and English. She’s also got an incredible work ethic: she helps shake more than 1,000 margaritas on the weekends, and we don’t cut corners with those – they’re hard to make.” (Cha Cha’s won the Best of Orange County Critic’s Choice Award in 2010 for its margarita.)
Last fall, Jacobo arrived for her shift and she looked a little down – such a rare occurrence that Myers asked her if anything was wrong.
“She told me she had breast cancer.” Myers paused, clearly shaken by the memory. “Imagine finding out that news at her age and then showing up for work!”
Jacobo had surgery, but it didn’t beat the disease.
“Two months later they told her she needed chemo. It’s a super-aggressive form of cancer,” Myers explained.
Recently, Jacobo started chemotherapy. “She told me, ‘I need to take Wednesday off but I’ll come back on Thursday.’ That’s typical of her.”
Jacobo’s chemo sessions will last for up to a year. She has medical insurance, but Myers expects she will miss some work and needs additional help that isn’t covered.
“She plans on wearing wigs when she’s working. We told her, ‘whatever you need we’ll provide.’”
A staff party raised some money. But Myers wanted to do more. He and his business partner, Peter Serantoni, decided to host a special fundraiser. Next Wednesday, March 23, has been designated Erendida Day. All day long, 25 percent of Cha Cha’s bar sales will be given directly to Jacobo.
Cha Cha’s landlord, Dwight Manley, also a local philanthropist and community activist, will be matching the funds dollar for dollar.
“He’s a wonderful man with a big heart who loves Eren,” Myers said. “So does everyone who meets her.”
Want to help Eren out? It’s as easy as buying a prize-winning margarita next Wednesday. Cha Cha’s Tacos & Tequila will be open on March 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 110 W. Birch St, Brea. 714-255-1040. www.chachasbrea.com
