Running a successful business in McCauley has its joys and challenges. Just ask Teresa Spinelli, owner of the Italian Centre Shop.

“I like the fact that we are in Little Italy,” says Spinelli. “I love that we are central, and easy to get to. I love that we have a lot of pedestrian traffic and that our customers and our staff feel comfortable. We are like a community, where everyone knows everyone’s name.”

Zocalo has not been in business nearly as long as the Italian Centre, but it has also made a tremendous impact on the area. “Zocalo set its roots in McCauley for lots of good reasons. We were looking for the ideal spot and looked all over the city, and returned here (home) because it was the best opportunity,” says co-owner Miranda Ringma “We’ve lived in the neighbourhood for very long time, and love it. There’s a great sense of community here that we haven’t found anywhere else in Edmonton. It is truly an untapped gem.”

However, business life in the neighbourhood is not all sunshine and roses. “McCauley is, like most inner city neighbourhoods, difficult to run a business in due to crime, exploitation, and other factors,” says Spinelli. “We work really hard at trying to keep our property clean and free of needles and other dangerous things we find on the street all the time. It is difficult to find employees at this location, because a lot of people have negative ideas about the safety here.”

Spinelli’s decision to keep the Italian Centre in its current location has a lot to do with literally being the heart of Little Italy. “A lot of people who live here do not realize how important the Italian Centre is to this community. If we were to leave – I cannot imagine living here.”

The more people who come to McCauley, the more the word gets out that it is a safe neighbourhood and the more legal businesses we have that abide by the bylaws, the better the area will be. Local businesses donate more money locally to their communities, making our community stronger.

Spinelli cites the crime and safety issues affecting the area as deterrents to new businesses setting up shop in McCauley. She emphasizes that they are needed to improve the community. “Where previous businesses were here just to make a buck, new businesses [like Zocalo and the new owners of Santo’s] are actually interested in making McCauley a better place, to attract new customers. Because of such business and the Italian Centre who is an anchor in this area, more people come because we are a destination.”

In fact, it was the idea around Little Italy being a destination that attracted Zocalo’s owners Ringma and Ken Bregenser. “From a business perspective, McCauley offered us a lot, such as the chance to purchase our own building and yard,” Ringma explains.

It was also the potential of the area that appealed to Ringma and Bregenser. “Little Italy is one of the few remaining retail strips that have the best potential for increased and inspired pedestrian-friendly, independent retail fronts that people enjoy walking and shopping,” she says.

Indeed, there are strength in numbers, as Spinelli points out. “The more people who come to McCauley, the more the word gets out that it is a safe neighbourhood and the more legal businesses we have that abide by the bylaws, the better the area will be. Local businesses donate more money locally to their communities, making our community stronger.”

Ringma also notes that it is the customers who make the business – and area – desirable. “It is challenging, community-minded, inspiring and full of life in McCauley. The neighbourhood walks to its own beat, and we’re proud to be a piece of that. Our customers love being in the neighbourhood….and they, especially, make our work enjoyable.”