'I love Sandwich': West end businesses invest in historic community

Thursday, October 5, 2017 | CBC News Windsor

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/i-love-sandwich-west-end-businesses-invest-in-historic-community-1.4328049

'I think it is the best place to invest in Windsor'

Windsor's oldest neighbourhood is enjoying a new lease on life, say business owners in Sandwich Towne.

Celebrate Sandwich with gateway arch, historical plaques, say city planners

"Sandwich is a really great area," said Luna Wang, 26, who has transformed an historic post office built more than a century ago into a hip and happening study spot. "I love this building and the neighbours."

Wang purchased the property at the corner of Sandwich and Mill in 2014 and has watched a downtrodden Sandwich rise all around her. She caters to a steady stream of international students from the University of Windsor and residents looking for a quiet spot for a cup of tea. Business has been so brisk that she's opened a second cafe on Wyandotte closer to the university.

Across the street from Wang's Post Cafe, Jason and Nicole Sekela are putting the finishing touches on a sparkling new brewery, the result of a two-year $1-million dollar renovation project. CBC Windsor News at 6 with host Arms Bumanlag will broadcast live from that location Thursday night.

"It's been a crazy two years, a lot of sacrifice and lots of money but, in the end, we're investing in the area and we can say we built a brewery," said Nicole. "I love Sandwich and this community will continue to grow."

Jennifer Hazelton took a risk in Sandwich two years ago and purchased Westside Foods, a neighbourhood grocery store she has refurbished on the north side of Sandwich next to Rock Bottom. It's worlds removed from the life she left behind in Toronto and Hazelton likes it that way.

"I love it here in Windsor," she said. "I love the people." [Read More]