If you were brave enough to venture onto East Wooster Street last week, you were probably all too familiar with seeing the “Road Closed” signs near the CSX railroad tracks. Chances are the side streets became familiar as well.
But what you might not realize is that railroad construction affected some of the businesses along East Wooster Street. Chip Myles, owner of both Myles Pizza Pub and Myles Dairy Queen, which are both located on the closed section of the road, said he saw his sales drop.
“During the day, it just devoured our business,” said Myles. “There’s that little section of road where they blocked off the traffic from turning in and sometimes our driveways were blocked with construction, which makes it difficult for people to get in and out and it’s really hurt us a lot this week.”
Myles said that up until last week, construction on Wooster St. had been going smoothly, and he didn’t see a noticeable problem in the dropping of any sales, but with the road being closed, there has not been an accessible entrance into Myles Pizza enabling customers to get into the parking lot smoothly.
“It has definitely hurt Myles Pizza the most because we’re more land blocked over there,” Myles said.
Another business affected by the road closing is The Shed, which is located in between Myles Pizza and Myles Dairy Queen. Joshua Burnett, store manager of The Shed said that while it hasn’t necessarily stopped his customers from parking with the use of side streets, it has eliminated the occasional impulse buyer.
“Business has slowed down a bit because we don’t get as much walk through traffic; not as much impulse of people driving by or walking by and deciding to come into The Shed,” Burnett said. “Even though it’s usually slower in the summertime, it’s a lot slower than it was last year at this time, so it’s obviously affected us.”
Ché Walters, general manager of W.G. Grinders which is on the corner of East Wooster Street and Thurstin Avenue, said he has tried to make the best of a negative situation, while luring some of the workers in on lunch breaks.”
“I went down and gave [construction workers] all $1 off coupons and stuff like that,” Walters said. “My philosophy is you’ve got to turn the negatives into positives.”
Walters said despite the lack of sales, the summer is always slower anyways since most students go back home.
“For me I think I’m down a thousand bucks, about a couple hundred a day,” Walters said. “But I think I’d be about the same on sales this week.”
However, Myles said even without the students, the construction has made his businesses suffer regardless. Myles said his sales are sometimes even busier in the summertime since people have more free time and get outside more frequently.
“Business doesn’t drop that much when the students leave because you still have the local population,” Myles said. “You have summer activities and ballgames, which picks up the slack.”
Myles also said that he doesn’t even think the construction on East Wooster Street is even necessary to begin with. He said it’s a good idea to have wider roads closer off I-75, but not through all of Bowling Green.
“I don’t see a problem with maintaining a nice town atmosphere as opposed to putting a major highway down the middle of Wooster Street,” Myles said. “It’s fine to clean up the sidewalks, and get new curbs and all that stuff. Its going to look nicer, but it just seems like cutting off the front of the university and cutting off the front of the homes just takes away with the beauty from the area.”
