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Jose Avalos-Rios, who co-owns Margarita's Mexican Cantina with Alejandro Gonzales, told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» they are working with Randall Hon, owner of Poundtown Burger Bar, to open a joint restaurant at the Dill St. Commons building at 25 Dill St., the former location of the newspaper. They closed a deal in July to occupy its former press room and some outdoor space, Avalos-Rios said.

The restaurant will have two open kitchens, one serving Mexican food and the other gourmet burgers, and two bars that will both be co-owned by the three owners.

"That way, we're not competing with each other," Avalos-Rios said.

Syracuse real estate developer  bought the Dill Street building in late June, four years after ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» moved out, and also plans to offer retail and office space there.

Avalos-Rios said construction on the restaurant is tentatively set to start in December or January, in hopes of opening next summer.

One bar will be indoor, while the other will be an outdoor tiki bar that can still be used in the winter. Additional plans include live music on weekends, taco Tuesdays, happy hours and food truck events. 

"We're trying to make it a nice, fun environment for families and local people to come down and enjoy downtown Auburn," Avalos-Rios said. 

While he and Gonzales don't yet have a name for their side of the restaurant, he said Hon's side will be named Poundtown Burger Bar. Avalos-Rios said their menu will be "simple, but really good and very gourmet," including tacos, burritos and quesadillas. He said their tortillas will be made in-house, and the kitchen will focus on quality ingredients and preparation. 

The co-owner said he is excited to bring "something different" to the area, and he is looking forward to serving the community.

"I think Auburn is a really cool town, it's up-and-coming," Avalos-Rios said. "There's a lot of opportunities."