Construction forces store owners to work together to combat slow business

Orange cones and construction workers are now a common sight in the heart of Williamsville as a Main Street beautification project enters into a fourth month.

All the construction is coming at a price, though. Traffic is clogged and parking is difficult to find, which is hurting businesses along the street.

"I've had a total so far now of six closed business days where I have not been able to open," Jackie Lennert, owner of Rove, a women's clothing store, said.

She is a recent tenant to Main Street. Her store has been open for about a year. However, construction is going into its fourth month, which means for nearly a third of the time she has been open, there's been construction in front of her store.

“We’ve seen a significant drop in the foot traffic for the area,” she said.

Stores all across the street are feeling the decrease in business. That's why owners are coming together to help each other out.

"We've done different pairing of retail and restaurants or different retailers pairing together for different events to cross promote," Maria McPeak, owner of the Irishman Pub and Eatery and a member of the Williamsville Business Association, said.

She and Lennert are partnering in hopes of driving up business for both of them.

"Providing them with coupons to shop here as well as sending people over there," Lennert said.

It's all part of an effort to let people know Main Street in Williamsville is still open for business.

"We are making a great walkable Williamsville. We are open for business, and we will continue to be open for business throughout the construction."

Lennert also said she recognizes that this is only momentary and that the construction will make the entire area more appealing.

The state Department of Transportation says despite a few minor delays, construction iso n schedule to be complete by the beginning of winter.

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