The Mexican restaurant called Tijuana Fats in Blowing Rock is a popular place for both locals and tourists. Some people go for the food, others go to hear the tale of the resident ghost the employees have dubbed ‘Mary’.
Those who have seen Mary say she looks no older than 7 but no younger than 4. They describe her as having strawberry blonde, curly hair and wearing a petticoat. It’s rare that Mary shows herself to people, and then it’s only to a select few. Some of the staff of Tijuana Fats have seen her, but more often that not it’s children who get to see her.
Mary is said to be a playful ghost, only looking for fun, but like a child, gets bored easily and can cause mischief. On occasion the dining room lamps hanging from the ceiling will start swinging back and forth at the same time. The back end staff have witnessed the water faucets turn on by themselves over and over. Only when they ask Mary to quit does the water stop.
Before it was a restaurant, the building contained a boutique and a residence. While it was a home, it caught fire and nearly burned to the ground. The owners young girl, named Mary, lost her life in the blaze. I guess Mary came back and spends her days ‘playing’ with the staff of Tijuana Fats.
If you ever make the trip to Blowing Rock, stop in at Tijuana Fats and say hello to Mary. Make sure you check out the fireplace before you leave, in the solid slate hearth, there is a near perfect footprint that looks to be the size of a young child… I wonder where that came from?-
