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MOORHEAD — It's been a summer of cone zones in Moorhead. Construction sites, like the one on Center Avenue next to the Moorhead Center Mall, have been all over town the last few months. The repairs and upgrades are needed in town, but they've taken a toll on many business, especially those in the mall.
"It's funny, because you think it shouldn't be all that difficult to get here, but people are always saying, 'oh I had the hardest time getting here,' because they get used to a certain way of getting here, and once that is taken away, it is harder for them to figure that out," said Kris Johnson, a vendor at F-M Antiques and More.
Johnson says the sales at the antique store has dropped 30% to 50% since the construction began. The business was just picking back up right after the pandemic and then was derailed again by the construction. But, it is not just the antiques store seeing the effects.
"People think it's only one store, but it's not. It's 40 different businesses that are feeling the pinch on it," he said.
It may not look like it, but there is some good news for businesses inside of the mall and drivers in Moorhead. The road closed signs will not be there for too much longer. The City of Moorhead says phase one of the Center Avenue project should be complete at the end of this month.
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"The anticipated timeline for this project is the end of October" said Clay Lexen, a City Engineer in Moorhead. "We are replacing the pavement, curb and gutters, storm sewers, utilities, we are also making improvements to the sidewalk and ADA facilities as well as lighting and landscaping."
That news is welcoming for store owners in the mall.
"We wish it would come sooner, but at least there is an end in sight," Johnson said.
