Over the last 5 months I have had the opportunity to travel all over San Diego County area trying to connect with the movers and shakers of our economy. The micro and small business owners that work very hard to make things happen for them, their families and the cities they live in. I have discovered new places, explored new areas and met dozens of people.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Brick Row on Heritage Square in National City, CA for the first time ever. Brick Row was designed by San Diego architect R. C. Ball (who designed Folsom Prison), it was constructed by Frank Kimball in 1887 for $30,000. The architectural style of the individual row houses is unique to this region and was molded after the row houses of Philadelphia and similar eastern cities. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it now is an integral part of National City’s Heritage Square. Each of the 10 units is privately owned and maintained.
Right on Brick row, you can find Creative Images; a Latino-owned photography-studio where the owner, Manuel Cavada, showcases a documentation of the culture and traditions of Mexico. Don Manuel, known by his friends as “Manolo”, can give you a special tour of his studio and show you some of the incredible pictures that he has for display (By appointment only).
Can’t wait to meet more business owners like Don Manuel and see new places like Brick Row. One of the things that I truly love about what I do is that, the opportunity to connect and build relationships everyday of my life.