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SALT LAKE CITY -- North Temple business owners are asking you to shop on their street, even if it is under construction.
Patrons at The Red Iguana, a popular restaurant on North Temple, enjoyed their lunch as usual Monday. But business is down 20 percent from last year, and owners say construction is the cause.
"I think people may think that there's no other way to get to North Temple, or they hear that we're closed for some reason," says restaurant owner Lucy Cardenas. "We're very much open, very much open; regular hours just like always."
The North Temple viaduct came down six weeks ago. A new bridge connecting the west side of the city to downtown won't take its place for another 16 months.
That's where some new pins-on buttons come in. They're asking people to shop North Temple and support local business.
On North Temple, almost everyone wears them.
"We're very excited about them. My husband wears his everywhere he goes. We're just hoping to spread the word," Cardenas says.
Other businesses hope for the same.
At Mestizo Coffee House, the word is spreading because pins are in high demand.
"We've been getting rid of the pins really fast. I think a lot of people are supporting the cause," says barista Oliver Lemmon.
While business owners see a decline in business, many support the project.
Utah Transit Authority officials say the new viaduct will include wider walkways, bike lanes and ultimately a TRAX line to the airport. The agency also has good news for businesses.
"We're ahead of schedule, so hopefully we stay on track and open up early," says UTA program manager Matt Sibul.
Whether the bridge opens early or not, businesses say the project is worth the wait.
UTA officials say the new North Temple viaduct will open in October of next year. The Airport TRAX line will be complete in 2013.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
