Tears came to my eyes today as I slowed my car to check out the demolition of our old hang out, that institution of music, laughter, margaritas, flooded bathrooms, rickety chairs and tables, warped ceilings, a dangerous dance floor that was the only cool spot in the whole place. I am watching La Fonda Mexicana go through its death throes. It’s like an old friend who is waving goodbye when you know you will never see them again.
I have heard many stories of happenings at La Fonda. Recently, I talked with Jorge Castell who ran the place these many years, along with the Castell family, including Papa and Mama Castell, as we like to refer to them. A smile, a hug, even sometimes tears were exchanged with them on many a night there.
Our bunch, we call them the Chain of Fools, used to dance in a conga line when that old Aretha Franklin song was 
done by anyone there. It was our anthem, and still is, even though some of the Chain has moved away, moved on, or even died. The years have not always been good to us, but La Fonda continued to be the place where we seemed to relax, breathe, and have some laughs, even when we were in difficult times. We had our drinks in quart jars, and sometimes we doubted what we were drinking, but we drank it with delight and tipped the waitress well because she was always sweating in that heat.
Jorge didn’t turn down any music. If a person could play and sing even a little bit, he or she was welcome to get up there and entertain the crowd. I have seen so many great entertainers, so many fine bands there, the list is endless….of course the house band, Iguana Party, Max Russell, Jason Isbell, Donnie Fritts, the Decoys, Jaime and Jason Herndon, David Hood, Planet 9, Angela and Zack Hacker, Gary Howell, Kerry Gilbert. These talents didn’t always have their bands with them, they would just jump up there and start entertaining for the sake of entertaining, which made it all the better.
La Fonda was the place where you could dance freely, drink freely, laugh and party with abandon, and sweat your hairdo right off your head. I don’t know a woman who ever left there with all her makeup, clothing and hair looking the same as when she came in. We would always turn that old cast iron fan toward our table, because we considered the Chain of Fools to be special and therefore, worth cooling.
I once witnessed Mama Castell smack a patron with a dishrag when he patted her on the behind as she walked toward our table. We always got hugs all around from her, and he interrupted in the worst of ways. I really wished I could speak Spanish, because I am sure a fly would not light on that guy when she got done with him!
We have heard family fights in the kitchen, seen drunk people kindly escorted out, sat in the bar until Jorge had to cook breakfast for us, celebrated dozens and dozens of anniversaries, birthdays, births, divorces, lives, and we have witnessed the births of some careers there as well.
La Fonda was originally across Florence Boulevard. In these days, though, it sat on that hill looking rather lonely, with a sign that sometimes only said :L.. F.. da, as some of the lights were usually out. It always advertised live music, especially Iguana Party, who I understand was accidentally named by Jorge.
I will always treasure those times at La Fonda. But, folks, we are blessed to have so much fun and music here in the
Shoals area. Memories are made all the time, and we can make more. There are lots of places to make friends, see old friends, listen to our local talents, and relax with a cool drink or a plate of good eats.
My husband and I don’t get out as much any more. Old age is gradually setting in, family is first, and these pains we sometimes get often put us on the sofa instead of on a dance floor.
But, once in a while, we get out and about. We stroll the parks, or First Friday in downtown Florence. We go into places if we hear music coming from them! We are sure to hear some good tunes, talk to some wonderful people, reminisce a little when we run into any of our old La Fonda crowd. Sometimes, we even run into Jorge or some of his family, and talk about the good ole days at La Fonda. We laugh, or cry, about some of the things that happened there. And, we remember those who are gone who often laughed with us, or cried with us.
We are making new memories every time we step out the door in the Shoals. If you are not doing that, just go do it once in a while. Listen to the beautiful sounds coming from the Shoals!! And, while you are at it, take a second to thank goodness for all the blessing we have here! And..make some memories….
