KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — A state bill could help businesses recoup revenue lost during unexpected road closures and delays. The proposal comes as small business owners from Lansing to Kalamazoo struggle to stay open during major roadwork.
In Kalamazoo, Midtown Fresh Market has been surrounded by construction barriers for most of the summer.
“Within one summer it can all be taken away from me,” said Paul Petros, store director and owner. “It wasn’t your competition, it wasn’t your service, it wasn’t your quality, it wasn’t your prices.”
He said he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars as customers lost easy access to the plaza the store sits on.
‘It’s a ghost town’: Construction hurting Kalamazoo businesses
“Thank God, this week we have started to see regular customers we haven’t seen in a long time. It’s still kind of tough with Westnedge (Avenue) not done yet, you need a mountain truck to get through there,” said the grocer.
As Petros braces for the holiday season and wonders if customers will make their way back to the store, help could be on the way in the form of a bill in Lansing.