Phoenix (3TV/CBS 5) — The Old Station Sub Shop has been in business in downtown Phoenix for nearly 40 years, and Debbie and Joe Feilas' difficult decision to sell the business evoked strong emotions.
More than a year ago, they teamed up with other businesses to sue the city of Phoenix to clean up homeless encampments known as zones. At one point, nearly 1,000 people were sleeping on the street right outside the sub shop.
“I walked into the store in the morning with a knot in my stomach and had to call the police,” Joe Feiras said.
Last year, a judge ordered the city of Phoenix to clean up a large homeless encampment. This was a victory for the Firas family and other business owners who had been campaigning for a return to normalcy.
But now, four months after they were removed, people are starting to return to the area, loitering around shops and wandering the streets. After a fierce battle, Debbie and Joe Feiras finally settled.
“We still have substance abuse and mental health issues. We feel that the homelessness problem will continue until the root causes of the problem are addressed,” Debbie Feiras said.
The owner of PBF Manufacturing across the street has similar concerns. Freddie Brown is the president of a company that manufactures caskets and other funeral supplies. He's worried about The Zone coming back. Just last month, a woman was caught on camera throwing a rock at a truck, breaking its window.
“We still have a lot of issues with them walking in the middle of the street. It's very dangerous for them and our drivers. They're urinating and defecating in places they shouldn't be, and there's a lot of stuff all over the place.” of trash,” Brown said.
The City of Phoenix sent the following statement to Arizona's family:
For now, the Feiras are cherishing the memories they made at the store they built from the ground up.
“There were a lot of great memories and great customers. They supported us through the pandemic, supported us with 400, 500 tents, and supported the safety of the people who come here to eat. It was a blessing,” Joe Feiras said.
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