8th Street construction impacting businesses already struggling in pandemic

It’s not only COVID-19 that has had an impact on local businesses.

The on-going construction on 8th Street has forced some businesses to delay reopening.

“Covid affected us a lot because we had to close down for three months, then right before we could open they shut down 8th Street and decided it was time to do construction,” said Marek Davey,  owner of The Granary. “We understand you need to replace the water mains and all that, but we think they should have done it when the roads were empty, or postpone it a year and give these businesses a chance to recover.”

There was an information session held in February about the impending project, as well as notices that went out over a month prior to the construction.

“We could open right now, but with 50 per cent capacity because of COVID, and then the road being closed, there’s no point,” said Davey. “We were supposed to open June 8, but on June 1 they began construction.”

There have been custom signs put in place indicating that businesses in the area are open.

Davey told us that between both restaurants, there are 130 employees that are affected by the restaurants being closed.

The construction has made it too difficult to open at this time, and for smaller businesses that haven’t been around as long, it could mean permanent closure.

“We are able to survive but I worry about smaller businesses. I really hope people choose to support local, because they need it more than ever right now. We don’t want to see these small businesses shut down, they put their heart and soul into the community,” he said.

Just down the street, JT’s Bar and Grill has felt similar effects.

“The hospitality industry has been hit harder than most, the construction hasn’t helped, it’s terrible timing,” said owner Jim Thomas. “We were shut down from March, to June… I just wish it was done sooner.”

“Unfortunately, this is something we have to deal with and go through.”