Photo by Deb Gau Renovations have been going on at the former The Gym restaurant and AJ's Arcade building in Marshall. Aruma Tacos and Tequila, a new Mexican restaurant, plans to open in the space.

MARSHALL — A former Marshall restaurant and arcade is getting a new look, as a new business prepares to move into the building. Aruma Tacos and Tequila hopes to open in Marshall later this summer, said Noel Flores, co-owner of Aruma.

Renovations have been going on at the former The Gym and AJ’s Arcade building this summer. The property, located on Clarice Avenue behind Runnings, originally included an arcade and outdoor features like a go-kart track and volleyball courts.

Flores said both the restaurant and arcade sides of the Gym building are being renovated into restaurant space, with the former arcade area serving as seating for larger groups or parties. Aruma Tacos and Tequila will bring different fresh Mexican foods, Flores said.

“It’s something different,” he said.

Flores said he and business partner Reyes Aranda have experience operating restaurants in locations including South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. But even though he has worked in larger cities, Flores said Marshall felt like it would be a good fit for a new restaurant location.

In a big city, it can be harder for a new restaurant to get people’s attention, Flores said. “In a small town, when something happens, everyone knows.”

Flores said the Aruma owners had been looking for a restaurant location for about a year. Besides being a good-sized community, Marshall also had an opportunity with the available Gym restaurant building, Flores said.

Part of the preparations for opening Aruma Tacos and Tequila was applying to the city of Marshall for a liquor license. A public hearing on the license application was scheduled for Tuesday’s meeting of the Marshall City Council. Agenda materials for the council meeting said that if the liquor license was approved, the restaurant could go on to set up a site inspection time with the state Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement division.

Getting a liquor license would be one of the next steps toward getting Aruma Tacos and Tequila ready to open, Flores said. For now, the new owners are focused on the former Gym and AJ’s Arcade building. However, they are also talking about possibly buying the go-kart business as well. Flores said it would be good to have something for the Marshall area community.

“I like Marshall,” Flores said. “I’m trying to do the best I can to stay.”