Local restaurant owner remembered

A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday night for a longtime Cathedral City business leader who died of cancer.

Eileen Smith, owner of Tootie’s Texas Barbeque, died early today at age 51.

Smith was a lifelong Coachella Valley resident and a business owner for 31 years. She led fellow business owners in forming the Perez Road Business District and was recently featured on the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” show. She was hospitalized shortly before the Tootie’s segment aired, Mallotto said.

“Eileen was a bright light in the community, and a dedicated resident and business community supporter. She was the Pied Piper of the Perez Road Business District,” Mallotto said.