Broguiere's Dairy threatened by proposed underpass in Montebello

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (KABC) -- Broguiere's Dairy, a staple in Montebello for nearly a century, may be forced to make way for a proposed railroad underpass.

Loyal customers cite the quality of the milk in the well-known glass bottles for the reason that keeps them coming back.

"We built a real loyal clientele base here and again my grandfather started this place in 1920. I don't want to leave," Broguiere's Dairy owner Ray Broguiere said.

But Broguiere said the Montebello Corridor Grade Separation project, a plan that calls for constructing an underpass and railroad bridges on Montebello Boulevard and Maple Avenue, could ruin his business.

Originally, Broguiere said officials offered to relocate his dairy by rebuilding it on a corner just 100 feet from its current spot.

Broguiere said he would accept that, but plans changed and he doesn't like the latest proposal.

"They'll put the underpass here and build me a 300-foot driveway coming in off Mines Avenue, which is ridiculous," Broguiere said. "I'm frustrated, you bet I'm angry."

The dairy would lose visibility and a drive-thru used by hundreds of daily customers, according to Broguiere. He believed officials were trying to force him out of business.

"We don't want him to go away, but again it's his decision what he wants to do and he's got to be very clear about what he wants to do," Montebello City Councilmember Jack Hadjinian said.

Plans for the project have not been finalized, according to Hadjinian, and there's still time to work out an agreement.

"It's always been in the family and we can keep it going on for a long time," Broguiere said.