West Belfast's Glen Road has become a booming spot to live, raise a family and open a business - with some taking full advantage of all three.
The stretch of road is due to become more thriving in the months ahead, with a brand new housing development underway. And as things get busier, some have decided it is the place to be for their new business venture.
From cafes, to chemists, shops and schools, most essential places are a stone throw away from people's homes.
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Belfast Live spoke to some locals who have recently opened new businesses on the Glen Road, all citing their fondness of the community spirit and togetherness in times of need.
Seáinty Ní Chorraidh is a well-known face around the Glen Road, having opened up Seven last year.
Serving treats, hot and cold, and even special nibbles for four-legged friends, the West Belfast woman is now welcoming people through her doors every day, from right across the city.
"Seven has been open for about a year and a half now, and it has been absolutely manic but in the best way possible," Seáinty added.
"We have added some more specials to the menu, since our opening, but we are predominately a coffee shop that does sandwiches too.
"We're always asked if we do a fry or other cooked food, but we are just a deli, we don't have a kitchen. Our menu has grown and so has our treat selection too, with local bakers and suppliers coming on board. We've always supported local, and will stay true to that.
"There has been a great growth for us, we have seen babies grow in the last year, and they get excited to see us now. Small things like that, make this worth it.
"It is rare for Seven to be quiet and the atmosphere is just really enjoyable. We can't thank people enough for staying with us. You do expect your neighbours to call in, but we are having customers coming to us from all over Belfast.
"Some of our regulars are from Lisburn, and from North Belfast. One of our regulars, Cathy, comes every single day. She actually has her own cup now. She didn't come in for two days, and we were worried sick, we actually messaged her daughter to make sure she was ok.
"We'll always be dog friendly, and nobody bats an eyelid now. You see dogs walking past, and trying to drag their owners in because they know the get a wee treat here.
"There is a great buzz along the Glen Road, we are all supporting one another. We're on the same strip of road, and everyone is neighbours who look after one another."
Martin McGuinness took over as owner of Applejacks last year. Already a well-known and much-loved spot, Martin and the team have been praised by the community for their service.
Growing up a stone throw away from the Glen Road, Martin attended the local secondary school, which faces Applejacks. He has watched as the Glen Road has evolved over the years.
He said: "If I was to describe Applejacks to somebody who doesn't know us, it's just a wee community cafe.
"We cater for everyone, older people, young ones too. We have a couple of care homes and that come down every Sunday for their breakfast.
"Applejacks has been here for around seven years, and we recently took it over. People are still coming, even after the changeover. That means a lot to us, the team, because we love what we do, and we are just so fond of our customers.
"I am local, and the Glen Road to me has just completely changed. I went to the school across the street and nowadays there is so much going on now, with more houses coming along too, which is brilliant.
"It is a thriving wee road and you can't walk up the Glen Road without bumping into someone you know.
"In Applejacks, the craic is great among the staff. I want people to come in and enjoy it, there's nothing worse than waking up and dreading your work, I don't want that for our staff. They have been brilliant with me since I came here.
"For people who have supported us, we just want to say a huge thank you to them. We were closed to have a bit of a refurb, and they were calling in just to have a wee nosy.
"It is more than a business, the community are here for us, so we want to be there for them, and now sponsor a few local sports teams, Belfast Celtic and Sarsfields. It is just a community."
Brian Morgan opened the Mace at Caffrey Court almost one year ago. Located in the middle of a number of local schools, he hailed the young people who shop, learn, and play sports on the Glen Road.
"Lockdown came, and I was furloughed out of my job and twiddling my thumbs at home. I decided to use my pensions to open my own shop," he said.
"When I came to look at the space here at Caffrey, I thought 'why not?'. We have been open for nearly one year now and the craic is good. We've had good support from the local community, and the school kids are great too. Obviously we have a number of schools around the area, and they are really good kids.
"Young people can get a bad name, but I have to be honest, the young people around the Glen Road really are brilliant, pleasant and chatty.
"I coach football, so a lot of the young people would know me already from that, and it is good to see them come into the shop. The banter is good. It can be a bit chaotic, from 8 in the morning, and that is good chaos.
"At lunch time we get the sixth form young people coming in. We do want to say a huge thanks to the local community, the residents of Caffrey, for their support.
"Even though it has only been about a year, our team is a good team. Nothing is ever a problem for them, and they enjoy it, the opportunity to make new relationships with the customers, and have some craic too.
"The Glen Road is a good, busy road, with lots of opportunities nowadays and it is good to see the buzz it has. We are all trying to make a living, but we will always support one another."
Stacked opened about six months ago on the Glen Road, and has already achieved a name for itself, with people travelling from across the city for their hot food and drinks.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Roisin Connolly said: "We have been doing very well and have been able to hire more staff than we thought we would, all local people.
"It has been really good, the first few months, and we can't get over how well it's been, and the support the community has given us. People are coming to us from beyond West Belfast, one guy a few weeks ago came from Ballymena.
"He had heard about Stacked through word of mouth, and wanted to try it out for himself, and he has returned a couple of times now.
"With staff and customers, the craic is great. We have our regulars who we get on so well with. Everybody is great and the Glen Road is only getting busier.
"Everything here is made fresh every morning, because we want to be able to provide good quality food and good coffee too. There was a lot of research went into the coffee, and people seem to love it.
"It feels good to know that the community is supporting us, and that includes local businesses too. It's tough going, but we are all trying to do the same thing and everyone has been so friendly and welcoming."
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