GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — This week, Hispanic Heritage month begins — a month to celebrate strength and unity in the Hispanic community.

Unity is on full display along Cesar E. Chavez Avenue as neighbors help each other get through a road construction project that’s been bad for business.

While their pocketbook may be hurting, their hearts are full, as the community rallies to help them get through it.

“This is the worst summer for us in 35 years,” said Ivette Reyes, owner of M&M Bakery.

“We don’t want this construction to kill (the business),” said Gilma De Lacruz, chef and co-owner of Rincon Criollo restaurant.

For seven months, business owners along Cesar E. Chavez from Clyde Park to Hall Street have been living through dust, dirt, noise, construction equipment, closures, some days without water or gas, or customers.

It’s been a fight to stay open.

“Truthfully, here we have our credit cards to be honest, personal loans to keep our doors open,” said De Lacruz.

Reyes turns off some lights in M&M Bakery, trying to save money.

“The customer say, ‘Why so dark?’ I say, ‘The construction,’” said Reyes.

She started her business 35 years ago.

“Oh my gosh this is my life, this is my life,” she said.

Her son, Joshua Reyes is the co-owner and someday will inherit the business. He’s amazed at how his mom keeps this positive attitude.  

“Her resilience is like no other, and her faith has been shown in all of this, trusting in the Lord through all of this,” said Joshua Reyes.

Across the street at Rincon Criollo, it’s a similar story.

“We were just here trying to survive because we are very grateful to have this business my mom started almost 10 years ago,” said De Lacruz.

She is proud to be in this neighborhood.

“It’s one of the biggest Hispanic business corridors,” De Lacruz said.

She said for people in this neighborhood, these are more than just businesses.

“It’s not just food, just cake or just maybe customer service up the street, we are talking about culture, we are talking about heritage,” said De Lacruz.

Reyes said a number of businesses, people in the community, the police department and the southwest business association have stepped up to help.

“That day I cried because two ladies came and they gave me $200, they put $200 on my counter,” said Ivette Reyes.

Without the extra help, “We couldn’t be open still, we appreciate everybody,” De Lacruz said.

The city told business owners the $7.5 million project would be finished by mid-August but it was still unfinished by mid-September. The city now estimates it will be finished by early October.

That’s disappointing for business owners, but at least they know relief is on the way.

“It’s like a huge family that we have here in the Cesar Chavez Avenue, and with our arms wide open to welcome everybody to our corridor,” said De Lacruz.

“We’ve got the hope it’s going to be bright very soon,” said Ivette Reyes.

Business owners said the plan is to have a ribbon cutting when the construction project is finished.