New bridge means fewer businesses

Beersheba Street Bridge won?t look the same and neither will the neighborhood as at least six businesses and one residential home will be leveled for new bridge construction set to begin in October.

Among those to be displaced by construction is Rainbow Flowers and Gifts owned by Deloris Jones. The business has been at that location for more than three years.

As of right now, Jones has no idea where she will relocate. To get ready for the move, the business will have sales beginning July 1.

?I would rather sell most of this than move it,? said Jones. ?That way I can start new in a new location. I can only hope moving doesn?t hurt my business.?

United Sales and Service is owned by Ronnie Johnson, who is also concerned since his business will also have to move.

?I think my business will be OK as long as I can keep my same phone number,? said Johnson. ?I?ll stay as long as I possibly can.?

Some business owners have already moved or know where they will be relocating.

Prime Time Rent to Own relocated to Smithville Highway a couple months ago. C&C Tires and Repair, owned by David Clark, will be relocating to Highway 8 on McReynold?s Road within three weeks.

?We have decided to move into a building that I own,? said Clark. ?It?s a bigger building.?

Because C&C Tires and Repair is moving to a larger location, Clark is taking this opportunity to expand his business to include paint and body work on vehicles.

Tenns Pawn, Inc. will not only be relocating, it will be changing ownership. New owners will be Ronnie Hall, Teresa Hall and Tammy Webb. The store will move to 740 Beersheba Street into the old Dairy Hill building within the next 60 days. The new business will be named Ronnie Hall Pawn and Gun.

M&R Thrift and Antiques, owned by Gregory Stotts, is in the process of moving, but he could not be reached by phone for his new location.

Also being leveled for the construction, is the residential home located beside C&C Tires and Repair.

The businesses and residential home owner have until Sept. 1 to be relocated from their current location, almost two months before construction is set to begin Oct. 21.

Several of the other businesses, including Jay?s Economy Motors, Underwood True Value Hardware and Nursery Supply, Band R Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., Discount Shoe Store, and Stop and Go Market will have portions of their land sacrificed to bridge construction.

Businesses spared from relocation may have a hard road ahead, as the new bridge is scheduled to take three years for construction to be complete. One lane of the bridge will remain open during construction.