A new business has officially opened its doors on Whaley Avenue in New Haven. It’s a small space, but a big sign, according to city officials regarding development in the Whaley Avenue corridor.
“When I came to the U.S. I lived right down the street, I lived on Whaley Ave most of my life,” said Eddie Eckhaus, owner and operator of Lea’s Falafelhaus on Whaley Ave in New Haven.
Eckhuas was born in the West Bank, Israel, but is a New Haven through and through. He moved to New Haven when he was 10 and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School.
Their new store, though small, packs a punch. The idea was to bring the flavors of home to the Elm City.
“It’s something I’ve been cursed with: making good falafel,” Eddie said.
City and area business leaders joined him Wednesday for the official opening. They say that although it’s a small project, Lea’s sends a big signal for economic development along the Whaley Avenue corridor.
“We would like to have more mom and pop to make it a more walkable district,” said Alan McCollum of the Whaley Avenue Special Services District.
McCollum says they are trying to attract businesses like Lea’s. The corridor is also part of a multimillion-dollar modernization of the bus rapid transit system and a $7 million, 55-unit housing project. All signs that Whaley Avenue is on the rise, officials said.
“We’re working hard with the city to make sure it’s always safe, always clean and a place you always want to come to,” McCollum said.
Back inside Eddie’s, he knows it’s a small shop, but he prefers to keep operations small-scale.
“That’s why our menu isn’t that big so we can be the best at what we do,” he said.
And plans to continue offering the best for a long time to come.
“We will continue to serve you the best falafel we can,” Eckhaus said.