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SALT LAKE CITY — At the end of 900 East in Salt Lake City, the sound of drilling fills the air as cars maneuver around bright orange cones. But the walkways in front of 900 South's small businesses gathered together in a real estate space known as the Maven District are now clear.
Construction is still continuing on 900 East, and many workers are still landscaping around the block, according to Tessa Arneson, the founder of the Maven District. But for now, the spaces in front of the Maven District's small businesses are free of workers, dust and the residue of construction debris.
More construction will also continue on the 900 East and 900 South intersection, which will close as early as Aug. 7 and remain closed for up to 30 days for roadway resurfacing. However, 900 South will still be open and available for local traffic, and the businesses within the district will remain open, according to Salt Lake City's Acme Construction updates.
Salt Lake City Councilman Darin Mano noted how the construction has been going for several years and it will be "a major improvement to the streetscape of 900 South," adding that there will be more changes made to assist those of "all mobility levels."
"Ultimately, the intention is that it will help businesses thrive because we will make the street a safe place for people to be in, to hang out in, and to walk around — and that, in turn, makes businesses more successful," Mano said.
But for the past eight months, the construction has not been kind to many of Maven District's women-owned businesses, with many struggling with customer losses, staffing shortages and even worries about closing their doors.
Small business concerns
"We definitely had a slowdown. It's a little bit tricky because summer is already kind of our slow season," said Erica Hoggan, the owner of the Land of Salt, a business that sells clothing and handmade jewelry.
Tori Plant, the owner of Planted Salon, added that parking has especially been a struggle for many customers.
"July was really hard, and May was the hardest when construction was all out there and people couldn't park, you know it's frustrating for clients just to get to us," Plant said. "If you don't have them walking around, how're you going to fill your books?"
Plant added that she's also lost a couple of stylists due to parking and construction stressors for clients, "Because why have a full staff if you only need one or two of you?"
At Curiosity, a sober bar that sells nonalcoholic drinks, co-owners Raegan Plewe and Erica Bruin have struggled to the point of fearing that they would need to close their doors.
On July 21, Plewe posted an Instagram video detailing the business's struggles, adding a GoFundMe* link for supporters of Curiosity to donate; so far, the GoFundMe has raised over $12,000 of its goal of $30,000.
Arneson noted that when she sat down to meet with Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall to find solutions for the businesses, the mayor expressed her concern.
"She really cares about small business, and I know she's doing everything in her power to make sure that those stories are known," Arneson said.
To assist businesses further, Mano added that the city budget has allocated several construction grants "to help them get through those times."
However, when Curiosity received the grant of $3,000, Plewe said she "kind of chuckled" at it, noting that, "It's nowhere near as much support as what we need, which is why I decided to turn to our community because it was the only way that I could think of to the project going."
The Land of Salt also received the construction grant, but others —like Planted Salon — did not, Plant said. Arneson added that oftentimes, it can be difficult for each owner to receive a grant because of the limited funding.
"The fact that there's anything there, I would say that's a win. That's the plus side, is like $3,000 is better than no dollars," Arneson said.
Camaraderie instead of competition
It's not just grants and Mendenhall and Mano who have shown support to the district. The small businesses have rallied around one another during the difficult times, according to Arneson.
"We're a family, right? We speak to each other, we communicate, we collaborate when we need to be around," said Meera Patel, owner of the Juice Shop, a community-inspired wellness juicery in the Maven District.
Patel added that oftentimes, shop owners will work with each other to promote business with sidewalk sales or text each other when construction grants open up.
Plant's salon has six neighbors. Despite the smaller, cramped space, she notes how there's a sense of community and love with the other businesses.
"There's a lot of camaraderie even though we're all salons like in a competitive field," she said. "There's room for everybody to grow and just support each other."
"Sometimes we'll grab our clients nonalcoholic beverages from Curiosity to help support them," Plant continued. "So, it's fun because these are your neighbors and we all look out for each other. And if anyone is struggling, we always try to give and help."
When Arneson was first founding the Maven District, she said she noticed that many women and first-time business owners had flocked to the block through no intention of her own.
"Oftentimes, women want to be part of something bigger, and want to be part of the community, and really believe in working together and being part of an ecosystem. And so, we really pushed into that idea," Arneson said. "That's really the backbone of what we try and do, is build small attainable spaces for business owners to start their businesses."
Reagan added that since moving to the Maven District, she's felt "a lot more of an emotional connection" and a "tender support" in working with women entrepreneurs.
"We really try and put it into the culture of being a different kind of real estate developer. We try and care about our small businesses. We know their stories," Arneson said. "We forget that something that's so great about being in Utah is that there is kind-hearted, loving people that share. And the small business community does that so well."
Picking up from here
Now that construction has moved past 900 South, many owners in the Maven District are optimistic about their futures, with Plant adding that several customers are now booking appointments at her salon.
"It's just a bit more approachable without the construction being here, so we anticipate it just picking up from here," Hoggan said of her clothing store.
Patel added that not only is she excited for the future of the current Maven businesses, but she believes the district will continue to flourish with the new addition of other businesses across the street.
"I don't see those businesses coming in as competition, but I see it as an opportunity to continue to collaborate with those businesses and, you know, drive the excitement around what is happening on the Maven block," Patel said.
The Juice Shop owner also noted that despite the challenges the construction posed, she's grateful for the opportunity to have learned how to keep her business afloat.
"It's a terribly challenging time to be a small business owner," Patel said. "But I also feel like there are there are things in our arsenal that we are slowly figuring out new and updated business models to help us survive during this time."
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