Rod Gietzen, whose wife is the namesake for their two Yolanda's restaurants in Ventura County, is preparing for his business to double tonight. Sensitive to the feelings of the Mexican-American community, he's making sure to do it right, hiring authentic mariachis and not relying on inappropriate promotions. While he sells more margaritas on Cinco De Mayo than on most days, he wants his customers to enjoy them responsibly. But I'm more in the restaurant business, and I'd like to keep it that way. We're here for the neighborhood, just like always.
Most people are well-behaved, but there's always a few who get out of hand.
Through efforts like Gietzen's, Cinco de Mayo can reattain its historical significance, Diaz said.