FREEPORT, Texas — After spending 10 years working as a waitress, Crystal Pina is now running a restaurant of her own in downtown Freeport, bringing American comfort food and a family-centered approach to a part of the city she believes has the potential for a comeback.
Pina opened Mama C on May 18 at 212 W. Park Avenue, offering home-style meals prepared by members of her own family.
While opening a restaurant presents a new chapter in her career, Pina said her years working in food service helped prepare her for the transition.
"I was a waitress for 10 years," Pina said. "I'm doing something for myself, actually."
For Pina, that independence has been one of the most rewarding parts of owning the business. But she hasn't lost her appreciation for the work that brought her into the restaurant industry.
"I like waitressing," she said. "It don't feel like work."
A Family-Run Restaurant With a Different Approach
Mama C specializes in American comfort food, with Pina's mother and sister handling much of the cooking.
That family involvement is something Pina believes helps distinguish the restaurant from other dining establishments in the area.
"The food's cooked by my mom and my sister," she said, describing Mama C as having a different atmosphere from other local restaurants.
The restaurant offers a variety of familiar American dishes, while its weekly specials give customers something different to choose from throughout the year.
"We switch our specials every week," Pina said.
Rather than relying on a fixed rotation of specials, the restaurant changes its offerings regularly.
Beyond the menu, Pina wants customers to feel comfortable stopping in for a meal and getting to know the people behind the business.
Betting on the Future of Downtown Freeport
Pina's decision to open Mama C downtown was deliberate.
Although parts of the downtown area remain relatively quiet, she believes the neighborhood still has considerable potential as Freeport continues working toward revitalization.
"I think it's going to make a comeback," Pina said. "I think the little downtown area is like the heart of the city."
The restaurant's location places it in an area where city leaders have been pursuing efforts to encourage business activity and improvements to downtown properties.
Pina also credited support connected to Freeport's Economic Development Corporation with helping make her business possible.
According to Pina, the restaurant operates from an EDC-associated property under an arrangement she says could allow her to obtain ownership for $10 after maintaining the business for five years. Gulf Coast Times has not independently reviewed the agreement.
For Pina, the opportunity represents more than simply opening another restaurant. It gives her a chance to establish something of her own while contributing to an area she hopes will attract more activity in the coming years.
Despite the challenges that can come with operating in a quieter section of downtown, Pina remains optimistic about the restaurant's future.
Her biggest priority right now is straightforward: making sure more residents know Mama C is there.
"I just want more people to know we're down here," she said. "I don't think everybody knows."
Getting the Word Out
As Mama C continues establishing itself in downtown Freeport, Pina hopes more people throughout the community will stop by and give the restaurant a try.
The business is also among the local establishments that have agreed to participate in GCT Gives Back: Christmas Toy Drive, which is collecting Christmas gifts for children across Brazoria County. An announcement will be made when Mama C's collection box is ready to accept donations.
For now, Pina's focus remains on serving customers, growing her business and making the most of the opportunity she has spent years working toward.
Mama C is located at 212 W. Park Avenue in downtown Freeport. Residents can contact the restaurant at 979-665-0062 for more information about its menu and current operating hours.