Business owners along Route 13 in Bristol borough and township are no stranger to road construction, however, familiarity does not signify acceptance for owners when business is dropping.
Many of the business owners have experienced a huge drop in profits, and many are working hard to stay afloat.
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Isabell and David Smith, owners of DaVinci Thrift have experienced a loss of business from the ongoing construction.
“It’s a huge impact on us, a huge financial impact. It’s getting to the point where we might not be around anymore,” David Smith said.
The construction outside the thrift shop includes the addition of a curb and sidewalk, a cut into the parking lot of the strip where DaVinci is located. The result of the work is a noticeable decrease in parking space.
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“Even post construction, space will be limited,” said David Smith.
“This is a huge undertaking, to ride this fiasco out,” concluded the business co-owner.
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Thrift shops are not the only kind of business that are noticing trouble. The Eagle’s Nest bar, which has been in business for years, has closed it’s doors, according to Mary K. of the Under the Pier Seafood Restaurant.
“From what I understand, we’re down 40 percent,” said Mary, a manager at Under the Pier.
“It’s very stressful, I don’t know if we’re going to close our doors tomorrow. I’ve worked here for 40 years and it has never been this bad,” Mary continued, distressed about the troubles following the businesses on Route 13.
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Other food specialty businesses are having trouble as well, such as Dallas Diner, which has been a successful business for years.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
“Our business went down 35 percent,” said the owner, Mehmet Isik.
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“We understand that it has to be done, [but] the lack of access is bad,” Isik continued. “This project is hurting people, not helping people. This project is not working.”
According to Isik, business owner in the area are trying to get PennDOT to consider a turning lane instead of a grass medium.
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The fight for a turning lane is also being led by Gary Paul, the owner of Bristol Blitz, an ice cream shop located on the 800 block of Route 13 in Bristol Borough.
Paul said he is also losing revenue and explained the seriousness of the situation to his business as a dire situation.
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“If I don’t break even next year, I’m boarding it up,” explained Paul.
Dave, the owner of Dairy Delight, recognizes the troubles, but isn’t afraid of current situations.
“It is what it is. Business owners are taking it on the chin.”
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Even in the worst of situations, many business owners are trying to stay optimistic and ride the storm out.
PennDOT expects the $36 million project to be completed by October 2015.
