A couple of years ago, Long Beach resident Layla Ali-Ahmad quit a comfortable engineering job to pursue her passion, eventually leading to the launch of the city\u2019s first food tour company Downtown in 2016.<\/p>\n
The road to Beach City Food Tours was not easy, however. Ali-Ahmad, 30, underwent chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2014.<\/p>\n
She was in remission when she began to lead locals and visitors alike on a food exploration of Downtown eateries like George\u2019s Greek Cafe and The Pie Bar. She would also highlight the history behind some of the nearby architecture.<\/p>\n
These tours have not only helped expose food establishments but other types of businesses along the Pine Avenue corridor.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though I’m not directly benefiting [from the tours], I benefit because she\u2019s bringing activity where my business is located,\u201d said Gio Ferraro, owner of Groundwork Fitness on Pine, between Third and Fourth streets.<\/p>\n
Ferraro said she remembers how excited she was when Ali-Ahmad first came to her with just the concept of the food tour. Ferraro at that time was president of the Historic Pine Avenue Business Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said \u2018Yes, this is awesome!,\u201d Ferraro said.<\/p>\n