Hidden off the beaten downtown path just east of the public library and the post office, a block that features 11 unique and independent businesses exists almost unnoticed. The 900 block of E Street between Ninth and 10th avenues is one of centre city’s biggest secrets. “It’s a hip, hidden jewel,” said Mark Hamilton, who owns FeeLit, a music, art and fashion store at 909 E St. “There’s a lot of people that would like what we have going on over here.” The short block is a few blocks up from East Village and Petco Park, and a few blocks over from the Gaslamp Quarter and Horton Plaza – just far enough away from each to remain outside the downtown spotlight. And far enough outside those areas that most wouldn’t venture that way. “I don’t think it’s really dark, dirty, sketchy or hidden,” Hamilton said. “I think that people are just creatures of habit and once they come over here and give it a shot they’ll find that there’s a lot to offer.” A restaurant sits on each corner of the block, with a shoe repair store, hair salon, tattoo parlor, day spa, dog salon, recording studio and high-end Japanese retail store in between. The result is an eclectic island of businesses. “It’s a pretty unique block in downtown San Diego because there aren’t many other blocks that are unobstructed that have independent businesses that take up the entire street,” Hamilton said. “There’s a lot here on our street to see.” Perhaps no business on the block is more representative of the vibe than Pokéz, which has been located at 947 E St. for the past 16 years. The inside of the small sit-down restaurant is very busy and features a variety of unique art that is mostly local. “It kind of manifested all on its own. We just let it breathe and it’s how we grew up – with art all around us all the time,” said Alfonso Reyes, whose father owns the restaurant. “This is how our old rooms used to look back at home. Our parents just gave us freedom and this is what it became.” Reyes said the tofu, potato and mushroom burrito is a vegetarian favorite at Pokéz and that the meat eaters love their Mexican steak. He said most of the current clientele at the restaurant are friends and family, or those who have heard about the restaurant by word of mouth. “People that wander over here are mostly just looking for this place or looking for one of the little shops – they don’t just stumble upon it,” Reyes said. “If you know about it, you know about. If you don’t, you don’t.” Reyes said the businesses on the block make up a distinct, unique community all its own. “This is a nice little culture, a nice little family block,” Reyes said. “Everybody knows each other and we all support each other. It’s very much ‘I got your back, you got my back.’”