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September 19, 2014
Sale of All Blinds
Oxford Village
Building woes hit businesses KALISHA NAICKER
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USINESS owners on Cadmoor Road in Hillcrest are enduring the short-term pain of the aqueduct construction since its inception about a year ago, but some are wondering if they’ll be there to see the long-term gain. Donnae McReynolds, owner of coffee shop Lucky Bean, which is also a playground and children’s party venue, says she has been in existence for almost four years, however, since the start of constructionalongCadmoorandGeversroads a year ago, her profits are down by almost 45%. “It seems as if we are fighting a losing battle with those in charge of construction on these roads. “Apart from businesses bearing the brunt of the problem, there are also numerous issues which never get addressed,” she said. McReynolds said residents and business owners are never informed in advance which road is closed and moreoften thannot,theyhaveto turn their vehicles around at dead ends every morning.
“There are regular water and electricitycuts,someareevencutoffatthe same time, which makes running a business and a household difficult. “We are often not informed of the cuts and it happens at random hours of the day,” she said. “My employees also have a hard time travelling to and from work as there is no public transport on this ‘dirt’ route. “They often have to walk past huge trucks and graders, which we are all unhappy about.” Irate business owner said emails and requests for updates on the project fall on deaf ears, and no one appears to be concerned about the issues the community is experiencing. Lucky-Bean employee Pretty Gcwabaza said she often gets to work late. “This is causing major problems for me, and if I did not have such an understanding boss I would have been fired by now.”
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PHOTO: SUPPLIED
The construction along Cadmoor and Gevers roads.
>> Residents demand answers from project planning department