When a customer walks into Tippy’s Taco House, Lilibeth “Lily” Panlaqui often doesn’t even need to wait for them to order: She simply turns around and tells her husband, Rizal, who’s cooking in the kitchen, to get their regular order started. After nearly 30 years of working at the Centreville restaurant, Paniaqui not only knows her returning customers, she knows their grown-up children.
However, the couple will soon be in need of a new place of employment. After 40 years of serving budget meals in Centrewood Plaza, the local franchise will close its doors at 14119 St. Germain Drive permanently on June 14.