CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Construction has been bogging down the flow of traffic at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets. It’s now taking a toll on popular businesses there.
- Business has felt the effects of construction for months now
- One owner says his business is off by up to 30 percent
- He also says there is a light at the end of the tunnel
When we sat down with executive chef and owner of The King's Kitchen in Uptown, we couldn't help but be drowned out by the noise of construction right outside the window. That's because his restaurant is smack dab in the middle of a giant construction zone.
As crews work on phase two of the streetcar project, the impact is heavy traffic-wise but even heavier on Jim Noble's business.
"Our business is probably off 25 to 30 percent," he said.
Business has felt the effects of construction for months now. And this project isn't going to be finished anytime soon.
"Sometimes people would walk by and people couldn’t even tell if we’re still open because they have the scaffolding up and gray curtain hanging. People couldn’t really see inside too well,” he said.
Thousands of pedestrians walk that intersection and so do thousands of cars. Some of the overflow traffic heads to 4th or 5th streets to avoid it. Noble says there are still ways to get to his restaurant with some ease.
"If you can get to Church Street, you can always Uber. That's an easy way to get here," he said.
While the struggle is real right now, he also says there is a light at the end of the tunnel.