The Tías City Council expresses its regret for the death of Tino García, Agustín Manuel García Rodríguez `Tino el del Sardinero´, and sends condolences to his family and friends.
Tino García, 56 years old, very loved among his acquaintances for his active and jovial character, was one of the most prominent entrepreneurs in the tourism sector of Puerto del Carmen, where he ran a dozen restaurants. He was also very fond of fishing and football.
The municipal corporation, chaired by José Juan Cruz Saavedra, expresses its dismay at the death of Tino García, a member of a well-known family from Lanzarote. Son of Agustín García and Manuela Rodríguez, brother of Toño, David, Vicente, Roberto and Estefanía, Tino leaves a partner, Yira Cortés, and two children, Agustín and Manuel David.
In 1982 he opened the restaurant "El sardinero", making his way in the restaurant sector with great success, as he came to run a dozen restaurants. According to Juan Cruz Sepúlveda, author of the book El Postigo, Tino's business beginnings began when Paco El Canario, Francisco Rodríguez, gave the premises to the whole family to exploit in the afternoons.
"They started grilling sardines in the afternoons, which they offered with sponge cake, wine and beer. Foreigners were queuing to eat sardines, so every day he grilled kilos and kilos of sardines. That's where the name of the sardine seller came from," says Juan Cruz.
"In addition, the restaurant was located with the bowling alley in front, which greatly enlivened the atmosphere. Afterwards, Paco himself encouraged him to open longer and expand the offer with more seafood products. That was the origin of his economic activity," he concludes.
