THE STORY
Reported Haunting
Church Street Cafe occupies one of Albuquerque's oldest adobe buildings and is rumored to be haunted by former residents. Employees and diners have reported apparitions, unexplained footsteps, and objects moving without explanation. The restaurant's centuries-old history has contributed to its reputation for paranormal activity.
The 18-room hacienda from 1709, built by the Ruiz family, was known as Case de Ruiz for about 200 years. Last family member Rufina G. Ruiz died in 1991 at the age of 91, after which the building was purchased and renovations from the Church Street Café began. The new owners found that the building was haunted by Sara Ruiz, Rufina Ruiz’s mother, a healer, or “curandera.” Her ghostly voice was heard yelling at the new owners to “Get him out of here, now!” referring to a contractor (the ghost was unhappy about the renovations being done to her home). Sara’s apparition has been seen in the café wearing a long black dress.