Metro Detroit businesses feeling pinched by construction on I-96

Livonia Ask Richard Glomb about the effects the Interstate 96 construction has had on his bowling alley, and he will give you an earful.

Glomb, general manager of Cloverlanes Bowl east of Middle Belt on the Schoolcraft Road service drive in Livonia, said business has never been more bleak. Open bowling revenue is down 40 percent. The days the alley is open have been cut from seven to four. And large parties are declining to book gatherings until the project is completed.

Although the freeway rebuild project seems to be on schedule for completion in the fall, owners and managers of businesses say they have seen a dip in foot traffic, but are adjusting.

My league fees are one-half of what it was. My open bowling is 20 percent down. Its devastating, said Glomb, who has run Cloverlanes for 11 years. Im having to lay off more than three quarters of my staff.

Glomb said his situation is much worse than when the recession hit in 2008, estimating his business has lost $20,000 alone in advance bookings for large parties. Because were reacting to what we are seeing right now, were going to squeak through, he said.

The construction, which began on April 5 after about two weeks of delays because of inclement weather, has had some impact on Snookers Pool and Pub, off the service drive west of Inkster Road, manager Jeremy Robinson said.

Its a hit or miss, Robinson said of business. But it definitely has affected us. I think a lot of our clientele that we have is because we are located right off the freeway. Now they cant do that. Some of the people I used to see I dont see as much now.

Robinson said the project and the increased traffic on the service drives, which remain open on both sides during construction, has been a deterrent. He was hoping more construction workers would patronize the pub, but hes only seen a few come in.

Enri Dauti, the owner of Prime Grill restaurant at the corner of Merriman and the Schoolcraft service drive, said the uptick of construction workers has helped replenish some of the reduced business.

Weve lost some customers and we have gained from some of the construction workers, he said. Some customers who once stopped by three or four times a week now stop only once.

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Metro Detroit businesses feeling pinched by construction on I-96