West El Paso sees commercial changes, growth

There’s been a lot of movement off Mesa Street in West El Paso.

The Rancher’s Grill moved locations to make way for a Chick-Fil-A. The old Jaxon’s became a Carnitas Queretaro. The west side Fuddrucker’s will be seeing new life soon, as a corporate-run location or becoming a Pappa’s chain restaurant.

Businesses are coming and going down Mesa Street in West El Paso and for most it’s all about location.

“This whole strip mall that we’ve come into at Remcon is brand new,” business owner Paul Leenheer said. He and his wife Miranda own a salon and spa off Remcon and Mesa. They say business since they opened in October has been better than expected.

Real estate broker Juan Uribe says they’re not the only ones experiencing success.

“The economy is definitely turning around. The stronger businesses are taking over the weaker businesses,” Uribe said. He said the west side is highly desirable to commercial businesses and there’s limited real estate.

The west side growth and changes are helping the Leenheers.

“It’s worked well for us. It brings a lot of walk-in clientele,” Leenheer said.

It appears more new restaurants and businesses are popping up rather than leaving.

“They’re building a new foot spa right next to us, building a restaurant right next to us so there’s all sorts of opportunities right here,” Leenheer added.

All the changes are welcome news for most, but especially the owners of Miranda Salon and Spa.