Rochester, MN – Small‑business owners on Second Street Southwest are feeling the impact of the city’s massive infrastructure upgrades. After more than two years of detours, lane closures, and reduced foot traffic, Thai‑Riffic, a popular Thai restaurant located across from St. Mary’s at 1217 Second Street, posted on Facebook that it is closing its doors permanently effective August 27, 2026.
Construction tied to Mayo Clinic expansion
The construction is part of the Mayo Clinic’s Bold, Forward, Unbound expansion, a multi‑year project aimed at modernizing the hospital’s facilities and surrounding downtown area. While the project promises long‑term economic growth for the Med City, the immediate roadwork required to upgrade utilities and create new transit routes has created significant access challenges for nearby merchants.
Other businesses also forced to shut down
Thai‑Riffic is not the first local establishment to cite the construction as the reason for closure. Earlier this year, Thesis Beer Project announced it would cease operations later in the year, attributing its decision to the same Second Street disruptions. Both owners expressed gratitude to their landlords for support during the difficult period and indicated that limited services, such as catering, would continue.
Community response
Local residents and patrons have voiced frustration on social media, noting that the detours make it hard to locate businesses that once thrived on foot traffic. Many expressed concern that the prolonged construction timeline—now expected to run through next fall—could jeopardize the viability of other small enterprises along the corridor.
City‑government perspective
City officials acknowledge the challenges faced by affected businesses and emphasize that the construction is essential for the broader vision of a more connected and economically vibrant downtown. The project includes the new Link Rapid Transit bus line, which began a year ago and aims to improve public transportation options for residents.
Mayor Paul Anderson’s office has indicated that the city is monitoring the situation and will explore ways to mitigate adverse effects on local merchants, though specific relief measures have not yet been detailed.
Looking ahead
As the construction continues, business owners on Second Street are urging the city and the Mayo Clinic to consider additional signage, clearer detour routes, and temporary parking solutions to help customers find remaining storefronts. The closures serve as a reminder that while large‑scale development can bring future benefits, it must be balanced with the immediate needs of the community’s families and faith‑centered neighborhoods that rely on these local establishments.
Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.
