Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
John Daley reporting Several longtime businesses are desperately hoping to stay afloat and stay downtown.
The owners of a pair of properties on Broadway, just west of Main Street, notified several tenants in those buildings they had just a few weeks to move out.
It sure looks like the end of an era. The owners of those businesses, each with a loyal customer base, liken it to paving paradise and putting up a parking lot.
Siegfried's Deli has been here 33 years, attracting customers from all over the region, like one family that traveled all the way from Morgan to shop here.
Elizabeth: "I WENT TO EUROPE A FEW YEARS AGO. AND YOU KNOW WHAT I LIKE ABOUT EUROPE, IS THEY KEEP BUILDINGS THAT MEAN A LOT. THAT'S IMPORTANT THERE. IT'S HISTORY. IN AMERICA, I'VE BEEN SURPRISED EVERYTHING THEY'VE LEVELED LATELY."
The building currently occupied by Siegfried's, the Zephyr Club and three other shops is slated for renovation, while the 97-year-old building housing Brass Key Antiques and a club called Ya'buts is expected to face the wrecking ball and become a parking lot.
It's the latest piece of bad news for downtown, where Main Street has struggled to draw new tenants. The area bordered by Broadway, Main and West Temple is starting to look like paved Promised--where old historic buildings have been taken down over the years only to become parking lots.
The Downtown Alliance is helping tenants search for new locations, which undoubtedly will charge higher rent.
Don Adams/ Downtown Alliance: "WE BELIEVE THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BUSINESSES TO RELOCATE VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THEY'RE AT. RIGHT NOW I'M SURE IT'S A MATTER OF ECONOMICS."
Property owners David Bernolfo and Stephen Bamberger could not be reached for comment, but apparently fire danger in the old buildings is considered a major concern.
Siegfried Meyer says the owners said they'd renew his lease, then a few weeks later told him he had two months to move out his entire business.
Siegfried Meyer/ Owner, Siegfried's Delicatessen: "IT'S JUST A NIGHTMARE. PLUS ALL THE REFRIGERATION AND STUFF LIKE THAT. IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT IN TWO MONTHS AND TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER LOCATION THAT'S SUITABLE."
Business owners on this block say they have a busy week ahead. Siegfried Meyer is looking for another place downtown to move into.
The folks who run the Brass Key plan to scale back. They are planning to auction some of their stuff later this month.
