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Once the construction of the city is done, it’s going to be an even better place. Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 | TheFranklinNews.com
– Molly Frische, owner of Brick Street Boutique
Businesses face difficulties with Jefferson Street construction LEIGH DURPHEY
leigh.durphey@franklincollege.edu
PHASE 1
W MONROE ST
closed until December 2016
E COURT ST
JEFFERSON ST
W COURT ST
N MAIN ST
of the nine-phase construction plan
“We’ve noticed a slowdown in the amount of customers that are just walking through town,” said Molly Frische, owner of Brick Street Boutique, located at 34 E. Jefferson Street. Construction began on Aug. 29. The nine-phase plan is scheduled to last until November 2019. The slowing down of business is forcing owners to take creative measures to alleviate hardships. Brick Street Boutique is revamping its website to offset the lower number of customers walking in the door. Frische is also planning several offsite events for the holiday season— more than the business typically does. Fred Paris, co-owner of Triple Play BBQ located at 186 W. Jefferson Street, said business is down in comparison to pre-construction numbers. WATER ST
If you think avoiding Jefferson Street to get into town is frustrating, imagine owning one of the businesses located in the heart of that construction. Several local businesses are located in the midst of the Jefferson Street construction project, and some owners said they are experiencing struggles because of it. Although sidewalks remain open for pedestrians, the road closure essentially leaves some businesses with no driving access.
Matt Thomas | The Franklin
Jefferson Street in downtown Franklin is currently under a multi-phase construction project, planned to conclude in 2019. The project started in August 2016.
However, the restaurant has implemented promotional plans to lessen the negative impact, such as a loyalty program that rewards regular customers with points and an NFL-pick contest. “The first few days were really rough because nobody really knew how to get to us, and our regular customers weren’t really sure how to get here,” Paris said. “But after a few days, it seemed like our regular customers started bouncing back, and it appears like even now some of our out-of-town customers are beginning to find us.”
One of Frische’s major concerns is most of the construction—which will, in total, last three years—will be done during Brick Street’s fourth quarter, which is where most of her sales occur. “It would be less detrimental to us if the construction was during any other quarters, but fourth quarter for sure hits us the hardest,” she said. In April, CrossRoad Engineers President Trent Newport said that he wanted to work around the businesses’ schedules and “minimize the impact” of the construction. See “Construction” page 3