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Community Effort Help Change The Face Of Shopping Center

By
Real Estate Agent with CENTURY 21 The Neil Company Real Estate CA 01246324 OR 201207489

New Look At Soda Bay Coffee

Those who frequent the Riviera Shopping Center may have noticed some definite changes not only to the parking lot but to the sidewalks surrounding the businesses.  For some time the entrance from Soda Bay Road has been in need for repair, the asphalt has been crumbling with the amount of traffic that flows through the parking lot daily.  "We decided to repave the area in concrete rather than asphalt," said Bob Braito, owner of the shopping center.  It was less expensive to use concrete compared to asphalt and it will last much longer.  Additionally the sidewalks were widened allowing for protection of the wooden pillars.

Patio

While these repairs were going on several of the customers of Soda Bay Coffee who have their morning coffee on the bench and tables outside the shop were concerned that their presence was forcing pedestrians into the parking lot to go around them.  Ben Chwastyk and Lou Baccala spearheaded a community effort to create an expanded covered patio outside Soda Bay Coffee.  After clearing it with Bob Braito, they raised funds by donations and having several hot dog sales outside the Riviera Market.  Chwastyk, Baccala, Ed Rosier, Jim Sparks, Rich Bergman as well as others donated money and time to make the project a success.  According to Baccala, it took several thousand dollars to complete and the project is still in the red.  Donations are accepted at Soda Bay Coffee to help defray part of the costs.  "This is a great place to sit, relax and meet other people," said Baccala.   "So come down and join us for a cup of coffee."

Comments (1)

Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
Nice update Ray....it looks like a place where friendly conversations could be fun.  Nice post.
Aug 07, 2007 12:00 PM