New Haven Independent

Beginning at the eastern end of Grand Avenue, the Casa Del Deporte Ecuamex has moved into a space in the little Pequot Plaza near Atwater Street (pictured). The owners are Guido Gonzales from Ecuador and Wendy Hernandez from Mexico; they not only want to do well in business, but good for the community by promoting sports as an alternative for hanging out for the community’s kids, according to a Grand Avenue Merchants Association (GAVA) release.

An eighth of mile going west, just beyond Poplar, Angelo Reyes has rented his recently gutted and renovated 258 Grand to the Pinchbeck Farm. It sits across the street from another store, opened this year, which sells mobile phones.

The hopeful signs in the window of 258 say “Christmas Trees for Sale” and “Se Vende Arboles de Navidad,” so that local Latinos as well as Anglos don’t have to go to the malls or suburbs to buy their holiday greenery. Trees were for sale along Grand last year, but there was no store out of which the farm operated.

This now-shuttered convenience store on the southeast corner opposite the newly rebuilt Columbus Academy will soon be remodeled and open as a Moroccan delicatessen. Opposite it, and kitty-corner from the school, the old Stanton discount furniture store, is being redeveloped, according to GAVA Director Gabriela Campos. Stanton is not out of business; it relocated farther west on Grand, near Jefferson.

On the north side of Grand, Carlito’s Barber Shop has been open two weeks and according to the young barber inside, is doing pretty well. The “Help Wanted” sign in the window bears that out.

What is Carlito’s bringing to Grand that the many other barber shops on the same corridor do not have? “Good prices,” according to the young man, who preferred not to be photographed or named. “The other shops charge $20 for an adult haircut; we charge $15.” The space is painted an attractive light blue and was, on a raw afternoon, nicely heated and inviting.

Just a storefront down from Carlito’s is the Mexican Grand Deli, also recently opened, or rather reopened. According to GAVA, the store is owned by the Gutierrez family, who previously operated a small taco-selling restaurant and tiny store. Now they’ve returned to Grand with an establishment a little grander. Indeed it is a combined two storefronts and is specializing in chiles from all of Mexico’s regions, among other home-country treats. Beside the brightly flashing “Open” sign was another sign, home-made and perhaps with a child’s or student’s charm, listing what’s also inside and for sale: “Tenemos Leche (Milk) Azucar (Sugar)Sal (Salt) Aceite Mazola (Cooking Oil).”