Quince business owners fight neighborhood decline

Over the years, the Quince corridor has been steadfast in keeping its good image as a good quiet community to raise a family and then stay through retirement and on into the golden years.

But, just a couple of years ago, things started changing.

"You got the Schnucks down the street, that closed. I hate that, cause I loved shopping there," says resident Teresa Sandie. "It's like a domino effect."

Other signs of possible decline aside from the numerous commercial properties for lease are homes being rented rather than sold.

That's not to say nothing is happening along the Quince corridor. Neil's, which used to be in midtown, moved in last March and business has been booming ever since.

Antonio Martinez says the Quince corridor will continue to stay vibrant and fight back against any downward trend, but it will take residents helping each other out.

"We close at 9 at night. Whenever people want another drink, we send them to Neil's in the same way when they are there and hungry they want something different than a hamburger or whatever he has on the menu, he sends people over to me. So we're working together for the benefit of this commercial area," he says.