After 16 months in business, Nana taqueria closes its doors permanently

After nearly 16 months in business, chef-owner Carlos Raba has closed his Mexican taqueria, Nana.

On Friday, Raba and his team posted a message on social media saying they have made the “heart-wrenching decision” to shut their doors permanently.

The business was the first project in Baltimore County for Raba, well known as the co-owner and chef of Clavel Taqueria and Mezcaleria in Remington. Raba and his team renovated the interior of old Purdum Pharmacy at 6901 York Road and opened at the start of 2024 — a taqueria named after his great grandmother and modeled after the ones he remembers from growing up in Mexico.

His venture was one of a series of improvements to properties near the intersection of York Road and Register Avenue, where Stoneleigh, Rodgers Forge and Anneslie meet, just south of the county seat of Towson. Raba said he wanted “to bring a little bit of Baltimore to Towson, and Towson to Baltimore.” And he wanted to pay tribute to the women who raised him.

But today his dream came to an end. In a post on social media, he and his team addressed their efforts to stay in business and thanked their family, friends and patrons. Here is what they wrote:

We are grateful for the love and support you have given us at Nana since we opened in 2024.

This past year has been trying as a business and we’ve been pushing so hard through rotating menu items, restaurant collabs/partnerships and promotions to be able to stay afloat and spread joy through Mexican cuisine for you all.

We can no longer sustain Nana and have made the extremely heart-wrenching decision to shut Nana’s doors. Effective today. And it hurts.

Nana was a vision that came from honoring Carlos’ great grandmother, a strong woman that dedicated herself to her family and the kitchen. Nana was a place that allowed him and the team to explore creativity through food, meet so many new neighbors and families and [expand] our collaborations with other local culinary and music artists in the industry. We’ve met so many amazing people and are truly grateful for all who stopped by.

There will never be enough words to thank you all for sharing space with us, stories, feedback and love on this beautiful community corner in Towson. We will miss serving you all.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all that enjoyed Nana. Thank you to our family, friends and community that pushed us in this short but sweet endeavor. We appreciate any kind words, thoughts and message from you all.

Please continue to support the local small businesses/organizations in your neighborhoods – it all counts.

With love,

The entire NANA team.