Main Street merchants don’t predict gloom and doom
Cumberland Bank officials have made a decision to relocate from Main Street because the volume of transactions has been cut significantly from average in just a few days.
With that in mind, how do several other Main Street merchants think street closings will impact their business?
Many other merchants not so reliant on drive-thru traffic in phase one said construction obstacles are going to be problematic, but not impossible, to overcome.
“We’re going to do our best,” West Main Lawn and Garden co-owner John Milligan said. Other businesses located nearby, such as Paula’s Dance Academy, USA Staffing, Fulmer Brothers, and Diamond Jewelry Co. can be accessed via a corridor from the Colville Street parking lot.
“We’re all concerned about how we’re going to be affected, but hopefully, we’ll get through it,” said Paula Roller of USA Staffing.
Karen Parisi, who is opening a new hand-made bath and body store on the corner of Chancery at West Main streets, was upbeat.
“I think the restoration is going to bring a really good spirit to the town. It needs to be renewed and livened up and I think this project is going to do that,” Parisi said.
Joel Colton of PSI Probation said owners had already planned to move to Locust Street on Oct. 1 in a decision unrelated to construction, while Moody Stinson of Diamond Jewelry Co., which has been located downtown for 44 years, said he was concerned about a slower pace but also noted people know where to find his business.
Attorney Richard Dorris is located in the Cumberland Bank building and said clients can access his office through a back parking lot, but wasn’t as concerned since many clients make appointments by telephone. He did, however, request some additional signs in the back parking lot.
City officials said they are trying to help in any way possible.
“Most of these businesses have back doors,” Mayor Royce Davenport said. “A few don’t, but we’re going to try to work with them with gravel walkways so people can get to them. We need to support them now more than ever.”
Officials gave the library and businesses located on the north side of Main Street a reprieve from original street closure plans after allowing library parking access to the rear of the Magness Library.
Others affected are Home Town Realty and Auction, Dream Maker Bridal, The Flower Basket, Main Street Bakery and Stanley and Bratcher law firm.
Flower Basket employee Becky Holland said delivery drivers are currently using an alley near the Professional Building, but added that most customers will have to park near the courthouse or near the bank. Travis Holland of Main Street Bakery said plans are to do deliveries and perhaps offer curb-side service since he doesn’t have back-door access. Jana Wilson Ringemann of Home Town Realty said she doesn’t have much walk-in traffic.
City officials and others involved are planning a meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m. at city hall to answer any questions the affected property owners, merchants or others have about the project.