A new Mexican restaurant is coming to a familiar location in Bloomington. La Una Cantina, a restaurant and tequila bar, is in the works at 254 N. Walnut St.

That location, at the corner of East 7th and Walnut, has seen many eateries come and go, including Chinese restaurants Emperor’s Kitchen, Alchemy and Szechuan Garden. The building most recently housed Arepas Venezuelan Gastropub, which closed in September 2019 after only five months in operation.

La Una general manager and chef Dean Wirkerman says he and his staff are approaching the notoriously unsuccessful location with a positive mindset.

“Let everyone know, we saged the shit out of it,” he says, referring to a traditionally Indigenous practice of burning herbs to cleanse or bless a space.

Wirkerman says there’s no set opening date just yet, and he says he hopes the Bloomington community recognizes the importance of second chances.

“I think that’s something the community doesn’t understand is even if your first experience isn’t polished and as good as a restaurant you love, understand that we get better – and it’d be a shame to not watch that grow and not be a part of that,” he says.