In Sylvania, Ohio, two downtown businesses have announced they will close their doors this summer, citing the ongoing road construction as a significant factor in their decision. Bandit’s Main Street Eats and Finch and Fern are the latest to join the list of closures in the area, following Main Street Sweets, which shut down in April.
Impact on Local Businesses
Tacey Tober, owner of Bandit’s Main Street Eats, opened her restaurant less than a year ago after leaving the corporate world to pursue her dream. Despite quickly building a loyal customer base with her homemade menu, Tober faced immediate challenges due to construction projects throughout downtown Sylvania. “We opened when they started construction on Main Street. Then the bridge closed, which was a huge hit for us. And then the construction on the second block,” Tober explained. The disruptions made it difficult for customers to access the restaurant, leading to reduced foot traffic and declining profits. Tober has decided to close at the end of June, expressing her heartbreak over the decision.
Similarly, Katie Gilliland, owner of Finch and Fern, an independent bookstore opened in 2023, has decided not to renew her lease. Instead, she plans to transition to an online-only model. Gilliland reported losing tens of thousands of dollars in sales due to the construction. “Would it be financially responsible for me to sign a new three-year lease when I’ve already been struggling? The answer is no,” she stated. Gilliland believes city leaders could have done more to support local businesses during the construction period. “There should have been consideration for the small businesses here,” she added.
Community Response
The closures highlight the challenges faced by downtown Sylvania businesses as major infrastructure projects continue. Efforts to reach the Sylvania Chamber of Commerce and the mayor’s office for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication. The community awaits further responses from local officials regarding support for affected businesses.
Original reporting: WTOL Toledo — read the source article.
