Support struggling businesses on Haven
Businesses near the train tracks on Haven Avenue are struggling now that a portion of the street is completely closed. Many are mom and pop shops that depend on passersby. If you're in the area, try to stop by, even if it's slightly out of the way.Keep in mind that although Haven is closed from Sixth and Arrow, you can still go past the detour signs at Sixth and Arrow to frequent businesses and doctor's offices. You just can't cross the tracks.
El Ranchero, at Sixth and Haven remains open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Use Sixth to get to the Mexican eatery. The other El Ranchero on Carnelian and 19th has been opened for 10 years. When owner Robert Cantarero opened the Haven location, he had no idea that construction on Haven would begin three weeks later.
Just because the street is closed is no excuse to skip your workout. California Athletic Club, although a bit tricky to get to, is still open. Going north bound, use Sixth and go into the Arco station to a back road that takes you behind the gym. Going south bound, use Hermosa, Eighth, Center and Seventh to get to the gym.
Perhaps the hardest hit of all is Haven Car Wash, which depends heavily on people driving by and hardly anybody has been driving by Haven and Jersey since Friday. Owner Nick Nazari said it's been a nightmare since initial work on the street started earlier this year. Use Utica and Jersey to get to the car wash/gas station. You can also take Haven past Arrow going southbound.
Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino/Staff Photographer
On a related note, it's not just businesses on Haven. It's A Grind on Day Creek/Baseline has been having a rough go at it as well, likely due to the poor economy.
Those who've not been there, give it a try. The staff is really nice and the coffee tasty. I'd hate to see them go away.
I try to frequent some of the businesses at Day Creek/Baseline but often times they are closed after 9-5 hours, like the jewelry store. We can't support local businesses that don't stay open late enough for the 90% of residents who work 9-5 M-F.