Del Paso Blvd.: Once and Future Glory?

Community Comments

Most would say Del Paso still has a long road to recovery. With its liquor stores and pawnshops, mixed with abandoned buildings, hip cafes and some independently owned spots predating World War II, the boulevard is a melting pot of once and future businesses.  

Haynes says the street is not as bad as it used to be, mainly because the community gets involved, reporting everything “from a stray dog to somebody being suspicious in the area.” But business owners still struggle with graffiti, vandalism and a lack of customers. Business has been so bad for Casa Grande, a convenience store and deli, that owner Ken Blas plans to quit after he sells his equipment and the 5,000-sq.-ft. building. Taber Furniture Co., which has been on the boulevard since 1934, has seen a 50 percent drop in revenue in the past two years, owners say, but it is surviving.  

“We’re on our third generation of customers,” says co-owner Dawn Taber, 50. “Grandmothers are bringing their granddaughters and saying this is a good place to buy your stuff. More people who used to come down here are now in their 70s and 80s and are coming back because they’re very curious, and they’re surprised to see it looking so clean and good.”

• Share
  • Digg This
  • del.icio.us
  • Newsvine
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Furl It
  • !Y My Web
  • Google
• Email
• Print

Recommend This

Community Comments