Main Street merchants deal with street work

SAFFORD As the work redesigning Saffords Main Street proceeds, the ongoing construction has affected local businesses in a myriad of ways.

For some, the road closures and impact to parking have been something of a concern. John Fitzgerald, owner of Carpet, Tile & More, said, Road closures and loss of parking spaces in front of the store and along the side streets for a six-week period resulted in a decrease of at least one-third in business volume.

Store owner Debbie Bass, of Debbies Craft Connection, said some customers have been confused by the closure signs, thinking they cannot park on Main Street.

Ive had people walking up the side streets instead of pulling up in front, she said.

Bass said the work had not affected sales for her store until this week, however.

At Joans Draperies, Joan Bingham said most of the stores business is out-of-store sales, so the construction work has not had much effect other than impacting deliveries from suppliers.

Any improvement is a good thing, Bingham said. It shows that were interested in our Downtown area.

Teri Romero, a designer at Graham County Florist & China Shop, said, Mainly, just getting into work is sometimes hard, while Dale Holladay, of Holldays Photo Emporium said, Its had a slight negative effect, as were right on the corner.

The Main Street Cafe has not really been impacted, said Cheryl Wilson, area program manager for the Easter Seals Blake Foundation.

Weve always had good days and bad days, Wilson said.

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Main Street merchants deal with street work