In 1961, violinist Nati Cano took over Mariachi Los Camperos and proceeded to transform it into the preeminent mariachi of the United States. In 1969, in downtown Los Angeles, the group opened La Fonda de Los Camperos—the first restaurant to present a first-class mariachi stage show, and where the musicians themselves were partners in the business. The original La Fonda closed in 2007, but today restaurants of this nature are popular in the US, Mexico, and other countries.