Counting on Cinco
It’s not the biggest holiday in Mexico, but Cinco de Mayo is a big deal for southwest Detroit.
This year, the neighborhood’s merchants — whose businesses have suffered as a result of the Ambassador Bridge Gateway construction project — are seeing the holiday as a kind of economic salvation.
“This particular holiday is more significant than ever,” said Gloria Rosas, owner of the Mexican gift shop Xochi’s on Bagley, in the thick of construction.
“This construction has affected us tremendously. Sales are down 50%.”
The $170-million, two-year project will rebuild the connection between the I-75 and I-96 freeways and transform the entrance onto the Ambassador Bridge. I-75 is closed between Clark Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard — key routes into Mexicantown — for the duration of the project, scheduled for completion in December 2009.
Rosas, who brings in a special shipment of piñatas, ethnic costumes and flowers for the holiday weekend that ends today, typically sells out. She is hoping that will happen again this year. Read complete article.
