Marco Li Mandri with New City America heads San Diego's Little Italy Association, and he took the lead for Chula Vista's Third Avenue last fall.
He said his group also plans to go vertical, adding about 300 multi-unit housing in and around Third Avenue’s businesses by 2024.Businesses around the area, including Burdick's Sewing and Vacuum Center, thrived during the pandemic. According to Burdick, families spanning generations have continued to be loyal customers, and the owner of the space she leases from has never raised the rent."When I think about my finances through the last two years with the pandemic, it sort of feels like the game Tetris," said owner Alex McDaniel.
"The more that the community becomes aware of our concept, the more they're willing to support the business,” said McDaniel.
They’re trying to turn Third Avenue into another Little Italy.