West Side businesses persist despite crime

Business leaders have been vocal this year about crime issues in New Mexico, especially those from Albuquerque who wanted to see more done about public safety in the recent special legislative session.

Albuquerque's West Side, a more suburban part of the city, is also experiencing the issue. Sheriff John Allen last week told the Rotary Club of Albuquerque that he created a unit to focus on crime in and around the Central and Coors area.

Carla Sontag, president and CEO of the New Mexico Small Business Coalition, said local businesses on the West Side face big hurdles.

“We’ve had businesses that have closed because they’re tired of dealing with the crime,” she said. “Businesses are suffering from the crime."

Goldust Nail Lounge, 10131 Coors NW, opened on the West Side in March 2022 by Tracy Nguyen, a former nurse. Crime is e prevalent in her mind.

"Crime and safety concerns are always at the back of our minds," she said. "It's tough, but we're committed to making it work here."

Sontag believes a change in attitude from local officials could make a significant difference. However, West Side business owners said a steady flow of traffic brings in customers who might not otherwise be aware of a business.

Nguyen transitioned from her health care career to the beauty industry with the goal of creating a safer, cleaner environment for manicures and pedicures.

"I wanted to create something different and more sanitary for everybody," she said.

Nguyen said she chose to work in the Cottonwood area for practical reasons.

"I walked out of Albertsons Supermarket one day, and I looked next door, and it was vacant. It’s a beautiful area, and it’s close to where I live," she said.

The location also draws customers from both Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

"It creates convenience for both travelers coming both ways," Nguyen added.

Also catering to travelers, Mariposa Yarn Store, 10301 Cottonwood Park NW, is a business that has carved out a unique niche in the West Side.

Owner Julia Lindquist focuses on providing a wide selection for yarn customers, both local regulars and traveling knitters.

"Knitters, when they travel, they stop at the yarn stores in the places where they're traveling to and from just to give business to local stores," said Lindquist.

Located on a busy street, the store benefits from its visibility and the steady flow of customers.

"A pro is that it's on a busy street and people see our sign," she said.

The store hosts weekly knitting groups, driving up sales and regular customers.

"They'll see new yarn as it comes in, and so they get a first peek of it because they're here every week," said Lindquist.

It's also a bustling scene at Rio Grande Social, 10127 Coors NW, one of the newest local businesses on the northwest side of Albuquerque.

Rio Grande Social takes pride in being locally owned and promoting a comfortable and social environment for patrons.

General manager Michelle Jimenez said people get excited when they enter the restaurant.

"A lot of people think it's just more of a classier, fancier restaurant. A lot of people thought that we were a brewery, and so just coming in here, they see something different, other than the brewery. They get really excited by the look of it," she said.

Despite crime issues and concerns that linger in the air around the West Side, business owners are still trying to cultivate a community on the other side of the river.

Jimenez said because the restaurant is locally owned, employees have a sense of pride in their work and are always looking to make the customer experience better.

"It's just really nice working for something that you don't have to go through a team and be like, 'Oh, no, we need to fix it for our customers,' for our clients that come in all the time, and we just want to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to get everybody back," she said.