TOLEDO, Ohio — Hayley Timofeev has been a part of Michael's Catering for almost 20 years and remembers how quiet the east side of town used to be. But the last few years of economic growth in this area have given the neighborhood a much-needed facelift.
"We've done a lot of changes around here, so that's helpful that the rest of the area is going in an upward direction," Timofeev said. "It's very heartening for us."
Rachel Ryan's dad grew up in east Toledo and she remembers what it was like coming to that part of town.
"Every time we'd come over here, it was always like, wanting to do more fun things," Ryan said.
She is now the operations manager at Whiskey River Tavern, one of the latest developments in east Toledo. She said it's hard to believe the recent growth this part of town has seen.
"Every time we see that construction, as much as it's something else to go around, it's good to know that its more community coming together," Ryan said.
From the Glass City Metropark to the new and remodeled restaurants including Whiskey River, the Old Bag of Nails Pub and a future Poco Piati location, the east side of Toledo has been revitalized like never before.
The growth is bringing people from all across northwest Ohio, including Sylvania resident Julie Boyer.
"I come down here way more often now because [the Glass City Metropark] especially has been amazing," Boyer said. "It's so much livelier and fun."
In the last several years, the historically neglected side of town has seen new investments with even more planned in the coming years. Ryan said this part of town has even more potential waiting to be realized.
"I think it's great," Ryan said. "There are so many places that people can come to already. With all the revamping, it's going to do well."