COLUMBUS -- The anticipated opening of the reconstructed viaduct isn’t only causing relief among residents, but also among business owners along 33rd Avenue.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of the viaduct is slated for Wednesday by the City of Columbus. The project won’t be complete, though, without final determination by the state.
It has been nearly 10 months since construction began on the project and since then the city hasn’t had an unobstructed route across the railroad tracks.
Business owners have been making due for months with the hassle of closed roads, rerouted traffic and barricades. Most owners and managers contacted said they experienced a dip in customers due to the construction and are looking forward to the reopening.
“There has been less sales and the customer count has been down. We heard some comments from people not wanting to deal with the construction,” said Sam Beck, manager of Ace Hardware and Garden Center, 1460 33rd Ave.
It wasn’t until after spring that business slowed, Beck said. They made efforts to keep customers coming in by promoting sales in ads and on the store marquee and going out of their way thanking those who did come in to shop.
A manager at Bill’s Tire Outlet, 3200 Sixth St., said there was an effect on the business, mostly seen in a decrease in the number of large trucks serviced.
“I don’t know how much it’s really effected our business. You just constantly hear customers complain about getting around town,” he said.
The maze of traffic barricades surrounding Kum & Go, 771 33rd Ave., won’t be missed.
“We are looking forward to business picking up,” said General Manager Chelsea Linsley.
She said there was a drop in the number of out-of-town vehicles stopping at the convenient store. To entice people to continue to come, Linsley said they held more sales than usual, especially soda pop in the summer.
The most difficult part of the construction for Kum & Go has been “customers not being able to get in and out as quickly as before because of all the construction,” Linsley said.
But if all goes as planned, at least according to invitations to the ribbon-cutting ceremony distributed by the City of Columbus, Wednesday will, hopefully, see business back to usual.
Businesses counting the days
By Julie Blum jblum@columbustelegram.com
Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 - 10:36:47 am CST
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Klem
Nov 22, 2009 3:50 PM
To wish I was perfect:The thing is, these people get PAID to write correctly.
Oh, yeah. Is it "convenient" or "convenience" store?
Sand Bur
Nov 23, 2009 7:45 AM
Yes it is really bad when ones spell checker is confused at what word a person is needing to use. It is only a matter of days before life gets back to normal traffic wise. I love shopping the west end of Columbus and the south side. I do not like the drive out east. One thing nice about the Telegram being so small there are less chances for incorrect vocabulary and mis spelling.E.B. White
Nov 23, 2009 8:53 AM
Ms./Mr. Bur:Yes, in your first sentence, needs a comma. Ones should be possessive ('s). Your "at what" construction is clumsy at best. The correct word would be fewer. The Telegram would have "less" news because it has "fewer" pages. Traffic-wise is a '70s bromide. If "south side" is a specific area, it should be "South Side." Ditto for "West End." The word "out" is not needed in "out east." Misspelling is one word. Thank you for your attention. And, yes, it should be convenience. Perhaps the Telegram hires bloggers when they have an opening.
j.r.
Nov 23, 2009 8:56 AM
"I don’t know how much it’s really effected our business"Writer also missed use of effected. Should be affected.
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Are drivers "making due" also?
I think the phrase is *making do*.
This group of professional newswriters strikes again.
C'mon guys, 'spell-check' won't catch this one. You need to double-check your vocabulary also...