Businesses along NW 23rd Street in Oklahoma City are facing declining sales during a streetscape construction project, with owners urging community support to help them through the disruption. The $9.3 million project, which began in January and is expected to take about 18 months to complete, aims to create a safer, more walkable corridor.
Impact on Local Businesses
Angela Muir, founder and CEO of Boomtown Creamery, said the construction has been difficult for her shop, especially during the summer months, which are typically their busiest time of the year. “Yeah, it’s rough,” Muir said. “We have seen sales consistently drop. So, you know, that’s concerning, and it’s rough.”
Kathryn Mathis, owner of Big Truck Tacos and Pizzeria Gusto, said she is temporarily closing Big Truck Tacos for a week to help construction crews expedite their work. “It’s a very, very hard decision,” Mathis said. “We are going to be closing June 29 to July 5, giving the construction company full access to our property to get ‘er done as fast as possible.”
Local shop owners said the city and construction company are doing their best to minimize the impact, but they emphasize the importance of community support during this time. “It really is bringing out the Oklahoma Standard. We are Oklahoma strong, and we’re here to support each other. I’m getting teared up,” Mathis said.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
