Fairfield businesses begin next chapters after losing Unquowa Road locations
Over the winter, several small businesses in downtown Fairfield received notice from their landlord that he planned to turn the property into a five-story, 50-unit apartment building.
More Stories
At the start of the year, the future was uncertain for several small businesses on a stretch of Unquowa Road in downtown Fairfield after they received notice from their landlord of his plans to turn the property into an apartment complex.
Now, all the businesses have relocated, with some still working to reopen and seeking community support.
Tenth of June, a home and garden store and Wendy Loves This, a lifestyle and apparel brand, are now at 40 Reef Road with a new name.
"We combined it to be Wendy & June," explained Wendy Mount and Amanda Desmond. "But we're still two separate businesses."
The new spot just opened this week, and it's no surprise when.
"The 10th of June - couple days ago," Demond said with a smile.
They told News 12 they couldn't have done it without the community support.
"Everybody's been so amazing," Mount shared.
Marco DiVincenzo, who owns Fairfield Barber Shop, was one of the first to find a new place. He's now part of Fairfield Hair House at 1040 Post Road. It's next to Hansen's Flower Shop and owned by June Chen, who used to work with DiVincenzo at his old business.
"Everyone's very happy," Chen said, adding that the parking lot has been a big perk from the prior space. "Everything worked out very well."
Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe was one of the last businesses to leave the Unquowa Road property. Owners Glen Colello and Lisa Storch went to court to extend their stay. The cafe's last day was May 19. It'll reopen this summer at 16 Sherman St., which is under construction.
"The new spot is coming along. We probably have a couple weeks left, but it's getting pretty close, and we changed our name, so our new location is going to be called Clean Slate," Storch explained
Clean Slate will still be organic and mostly plant-based but will also include non-vegan options along with a full coffee bar. A GoFundMe campaign has helped with the bumps of starting over.
"The response was overwhelming," Colello told News 12.
Renovations are also ongoing for Las Vetas Lounge, which will reopen at 1640 Post Road. A fundraising effort for the beloved coffee shop wrote that it's a "chance to give back and help preserve this crucial piece of our community."
Nancy Galasso Interiors can now be found at 51 Sherman St. West.
The businesses' prior buildings on Unquowa Road are marked for future demolition. Then construction will begin on the five-story, 50-unit apartment building that's slated to go there.
PRIOR COVERAGE: 'All scrambling now.' Shops in downtown Fairfield get mid-April deadline to move or close
