Take a walk down the Woodstock Road and you'll be greeted by a range of innovative businesses all working together and supporting each other, in good times and bad.
The busy stretch is a main arterial route within East Belfast and located just minutes from the city centre boasting an abundance of businesses old and new.
Like many shopping districts, the popular Woodstock Road has seen many changes down the years and faced the mixed fortunes of some well established businesses shutting up shop while also welcoming new faces to the neighbourhood.
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Dawson Wright Hardware has been in business for over 60 years, offering a wide range of hardware and DIY equipment at competitive prices from fireplace accessories to new locks.
It was originally established by Dawson Wright in 1958 and initially located on the Shankill Road before moving to the east of the city in the mid 1970s.
Ivor Carberry, who took over the business 25 years ago, told Belfast Live: "We're one of the last true wee hardware shops with a wide range of building and household materials. There's nobody really else like us on any road nowadays or as cheap!
"When I first took over the business it was a much smaller operation but now it's doubled in size so it means that we're more of a destination shop. We do have a good reputation and a lot of people come from far and wide because we sell all the wee things that you can't get anywhere else."
But Ivor also acknowledges that there have been some big changes down the years in terms of the number of businesses and footfall.
"When I first came here around the time of the ceasefire, there were four paint shops on the other side of the road, now there's not one. On a Saturday, you couldn't get moving on the road and there were bus runs coming from places like Ballymena. We would have people coming to us now for something specific whereas before it was mainly passing trade.
"There was another hardware shop here then too and obviously if we didn't have something, we'd send them down there. We'd always look out for each other from a business point of view and try to be accommodating because it doesn't hurt to be helpful and supportive."
Also celebrating a milestone is Peter Gibson from Gibsons Home Bakery which will mark 65 years in business next March. It was first established by Peter's parents, Cyril and Maureen.
"We used to be based across the road at number 357 and rented that building but I had the chance to buy this building so we moved across the road," Peter said.
"I lived above the shop for the first six years of my life so I've always been a part of the business. A few years ago I had the chance to change the sign and it was nice to put up, established in 1958. My dad always said the shop opened the week before St Patrick's Day so I have the date of 10 March to focus on."
He added: "Back during the Troubles people were scared to go into Belfast so they would have come here instead because you could get anything on this road.
"People would have walked the length of it, both sides, and it was grandmothers, mothers and daughters all out shopping and stopping somewhere for lunch.
"It's not like now but then it's the same story everywhere. You do still get some of the old faces still coming in and it's great to see them while one of my staff has worked here since she was 14. There are some very enthusiastic new business owners on the road and I applaud what they're trying to do to improve the street."
At Christian and Rachel Lanfranchi's Piccola Parma, you'll find Belfast’s first Italian osteria and cafe, serving “The Best Fry in the East” alongside mouthwatering omelettes, filled sodas and their award winning parma ham.
While Italian cuisine is at the heart of the business, there are some nods to Rachel's Australian heritage too including Anzac biscuits and lamingtons.
The couple have been in business for over six years and are also involved in the Cregagh Woodstock Traders group.
Rachel said: "With the traders group, we're focused on getting small things changed and being involved in community events, most recently with some of the local churches and charities.
"An osteria in Italy has always been based around the community and that's 100% what we're all about too. We're always doing crazy things and even our window cleaner says I now know more about Belfast than he does but that's only on account of knowing the people."
Across the road, Karl Robinson has been running Tattoo Asylum for the past nine years.
"I lived on the road for well over 30 years and my father's family came from here too so I consider myself an East Belfast man now. I do love being a part of the Woodstock Road and interacting with the people on it, who are all great" he said.
"We do have some great community events here too. It's probably one of the last true shopping roads in East Belfast so it's a good hub for people to visit. We have some great cafes and restaurants but the only thing this road doesn't have is a good local bar."
Karl added: "Compared to 20 or 30 years ago, it was a brilliant road with everything on it. This building I'm in was once an old record shop while across the road there was a big variety of shops, selling everything from clothes to wallpaper.
"There has been some redevelopment too with the old bank and former Willowfield police station turned into apartments, which helps footfall on the road although I would rather see more shops on it."
As well as being home to many long established businesses, the road is also attracting a number of new offerings, including Boho Hair. The chic new hair salon recently opened its doors with award-winning Belfast hairstylists Jade Wilgaus and Michelle Torrens at the helm.
Jade said: "We want to thank everyone for their support over the past few weeks since we opened the doors. We've been really blown away by the response so far and the feedback from the clients has been really positive.
"We've also been warmly welcomed by the other businesses on the road too who all look out for each other. They are really pleased to see another new business here rather than an empty unit so there's a very positive vibe."
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