The Taco Monster location at 558 Laura Avenue in Red Deer has officially closed its doors as of the end of March 2026. This site, which operated within The Market Kitchen at Gasoline Alley Farmers’ Market, is the second restaurant in the community to shut down within the last month according to reports from the Red Deer Foodies community group.
Founded by entrepreneur Jonathan Strome in 2020, Taco Monster began as a food truck operation before expanding into the local market. Despite the closure of this specific location, the business continues to serve customers through its other operations, including a food truck that travels throughout central Alberta.
The closure occurs during a difficult period for the broader Canadian restaurant industry. Research from the Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab indicates that 7,000 restaurants closed across the country in 2025, with an additional 4,000 closures projected for 2026. Experts point to several factors driving this trend, including rising input and labour costs, as well as shifts in consumer spending habits as people become more cautious with their money.
This follows other recent changes in the local business landscape. Earlier this year, the Downtown Business Association ceased operations effective February 1, 2026, after 43 years, as the board determined it could no longer operate in a financially sustainable way.
