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SALT LAKE CITY -- It's been a week since the North Temple bridge in Salt Lake City was closed for construction. Already, some businesses that used to rely on bridge traffic are feeling the effects of its closure.
Most of them are seeing fewer customers, especially those drive-thru businesses like fast food restaurants and oil change places.
Business owners want everyone to know they are still open. In fact, they're planning on a marketing campaign to say just that.
Even when times are tough, cars still need an oil change. That's built-in business. For the Jiffy Lube on North Temple, though, now their business relies on convenience.
"It's been a little bit slower. We were increasing quite a bit before the change happened," said Brian Shira of Jiffy Lube.
The change is the North Temple bridge. Ever since it was closed last week, businesses on the west side of the bridge have noticed fewer customers.
"We were about even last year, which is always good, but we have lost a little bit of our increase over the couple of weeks," Shira said.
The North Temple Viaduct re-construction project will last for approximately 18 months; the airport TRAX line is expected to be completed in 2013. -UTA
And it's not just Jiffy Lube. The Wonder Bread store, Leatherby's, Red Iguana and several other businesses are all down slightly.
"Some businesses were in tough situations because of the economy in general, and then to have this on top of it, it may be the tipping point," said Bill Coker, owner of Red Iguana.
Coker is also on the community's advisory committee. He says an alliance is being formed to start promoting the businesses on North Temple -- especially those who rely on car traffic.
"They're down, I know, significantly, and they really need the community support," Coker said.
One of the alliance's first steps is to get construction signs changed, like the one on 900 West. It says ‘Road Closed,' but really the road the businesses are on is open; It's the bridge that is closed.
Businesses says it's just a matter of people knowing they're open and how to get to them.
Leatherby's manager Diana Nguyen said, "It's a little bit different, yeah, but hopefully it'll get better once they get used to it."
None of the businesses who spoke to KSL say they're planning on shutting down while the bridge is closed, but they are definitely looking forward to a year and a half from now when it's opened again.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
