Cocina Azul Cancels Planned West Side Restaurant

Owners abandon the 3421 Coors NW location following a lease dispute with landlord Raj Holdings LLC.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an adobe-style facade, symbolizing a failed commercial venture in a neutral, minimalist register. — Cocina Azul has abandoned its planned restaurant expansion at 3421 Coors NW in Albuquerque following a contentious lease dispute with Raj Holdings LLC. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The owners of Cocina Azul have officially cancelled plans to open a new restaurant at 3421 Coors NW in Albuquerque. The decision follows a tense conflict with property owner Raj Holdings LLC that ultimately resulted in the restaurant team being locked out of the site.

Why it matters

The closure disrupts the restaurant's expansion strategy, which had already prompted the owners to shutter their established Montgomery Boulevard location. With the West Side venture now dead, the owners are back to searching for a viable space to re-establish their presence in the area.

The vacant property at 3421 Coors NW spans approximately 10,000 square feet. Raj Holdings LLC, owned by Sujay Thakur, maintains a portfolio totaling 1.5 million square feet of developed properties.

The players

Sujay Thakur

He is the owner of Raj Holdings LLC and has developed 1.5 million square feet of commercial property.

Raj Holdings LLC

This real estate firm owns the property at 3421 Coors NW and is managed by Sujay Thakur.

Cocina Azul

This restaurant brand previously operated a location on Montgomery Boulevard before seeking to expand to the West Side.

The details

Although the restaurant team had already cleaned, painted, and prepared signage for the location, the landlord cited a lack of funding and missed rent payments as reasons for the lockout. The owners contend that ongoing difficulties with the landlord made the site unsuitable for their operation.

Raj Holdings and Thakur Enterprises were founded by Sujay Thakur in 2004.
Cocina Azul owners signed a 10-year lease for the site in late 2025.
Liquor license and inspection processes were still pending in December 2025.
The restaurant was originally scheduled for an early 2026 opening.
A civil suit complaint was filed against Sujay Thakur on August 20, 2026.

Market Landscape

The failed launch at 3421 Coors NW underscores the volatility currently facing restaurant operators attempting to secure prime space in highly competitive Albuquerque corridors. This dispute reflects broader challenges in commercial real estate where shifting expansion plans frequently clash with landlord occupancy requirements.

Local diners who were anticipating the arrival of a new West Side restaurant will need to wait for further updates on a potential new location. Customers should continue to seek out the brand at other operating locations while the owners pursue new real estate opportunities.

The takeaway

Commercial lease disputes often lead to significant operational disruptions for small business owners during expansion phases. Restaurant operators should carefully verify all property conditions and legal contingencies before committing to long-term leases on vacant commercial spaces.