A new store has officially opened on Whaley Street in New Haven, and city officials say it may be a small store, but it's a big signal for the development along that stretch.
“When I came to the United States, I lived right down the street. I've lived on Whaley Street most of my life,” said Eddie Eckhaus, owner and operator of Lea's Falafelhaus on Whaley Street in New Haven.
Though Ekfuas was born in Israel's West Bank, he is a New Haven native through and through, having moved to New Haven when he was 10 and graduating from Wilbur Cross High School.
His new storefront may be small, but it packs big flavor — the idea being to bring a taste of his hometown to the Elm City.
“Making good falafel is something I'm cursed with,” Eddie said.
City and area business leaders were on hand for the official ribbon cutting Wednesday, and they say Leeds, while small in size, sends a big signal of economic development along Whaley Street.
“We want to get more moms and dads in to make it a more walkable neighborhood,” said Alan McCollum of the Whaley Avenue Special Services District.
McCollum said it's businesses like Lee's that they're trying to attract. The road is also part of a multimillion-dollar bus rapid transit upgrade and a $7 million, 55-home housing project, all signs that Whaley Avenue is on the upswing, officials said.
“We're working with the city to make sure it's always safe, always clean and always a great place to visit,” McCollum said.
Back at Eddie's, he knows it's a small store, but he wants to keep the operation small.
“That's why we don't have a huge menu — to make sure we can be the best with the food we serve,” he said.
And he intends to continue to give us the best for a long time to come.
“We'll continue to serve the best falafel,” Eckhaus said.
