LA MESA (CBS 8) - It takes a town to raise a village, and progressive people to see its possibilities. Eight years ago, realtor David Woodson and his wife took a chance on downtown La Mesa.
"We saw the potential of the growth, and we ended up buying the building, remodeled it, revamped it," David said.
It turned out to be the right move.
"It's just a great place to have a business, and the community is wonderful," David said.
Downtown La Mesa is not just a great place to have a business.
"It's a real great place to live. I think the best place in the East County, very family-friendly and very much a village," David said.
La Mesa Boulevard is filled with cozy cafes to while away a slice of a sun-splashed day.
"It's nice to come down and have breakfast in little cafes like this or their competitors next door," a resident said.
Here neighbors can reconnect while working the morning crossword puzzle. There are antique shops where the owner wouldn't part with my amazing self-likeness, and bookstores with sidewalk racks built for browsing. You can go wine tasting when the time is right, and uber-chef Brian Malarky has created a stir with his latest restaurant Gingham, which is now anchoring La Mesa Boulevard.
"You see people in La Mesa. It doesn't matter if it's morning, noon or night. They are walking their dog, very, very friendly," a resident said.
To know downtown La Mesa is to love it.
"It's a wonderful little charming town," a resident said.
Locals are voting with their dollars in downtown La Mesa, investing in revitalizing their village, enjoying the banquet that's right in their own backyard.
