Christine’s Sweet Shoppe — Business Affected By Downtown Construction
Some Stoneham businesses are running on as little as a third of their usual customer traffic as a sweeping downtown construction project tears up sidewalks, streets and parking spots across the town center. Owners describe empty storefronts, canceled shifts and anxious nights as they wait to see whether the town will offer any financial help.
The disruption is tied to the Stoneham Square Improvement Project, a $4.7 million effort funded largely through a $4 million MassWorks Infrastructure Grant, according to the Stoneham MA Chamber of Commerce. Construction began in early July and is being completed in phases, with crews installing new sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps and ADA accessibility upgrades alongside streetscape improvements like landscaping, lighting and benches, the chamber says. As CBS News reports, some establishments now see up to two-thirds of their usual business wiped out, and the project is expected to continue through June, according to the town…