CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Months of construction noise, road closures and disruption are driving customers away from many businesses along Saint Philip Street in downtown Charleston, leaving some owners worried they may not be able to hold on long enough to see the promises paid off.
Businesses have reported up to a 40% decline in customers since construction began in June. The work is tied to groundwork for a new condo building expected to go up over the next two years.
Sara Gutman, a manager at Island Provisions, said, “This is the noise starts at 6 a.m. with the trucks backing in”
Kristin Schwiers, owner of Charleston Candle Company, said the construction has been disruptive inside her shop as well. “We see things kind of shake and rattle. We’ve had to catch a few things before they fall off the shelves,” Schwiers said.
Despite activity outside, some businesses say their interiors can feel empty as customers avoid the area. Gutman said, “I just know a lot of people avoid this road now. I can’t blame them.”
With sales down, businesses said they have had to cut costs to stay afloat. Schwiers said, “I mean, if we took another loss this year we’d have to close the store.”
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Gutman stated road closures have hit Island Provisions hard. “Just with the road closures, we’ve lost a lot of business. We had to cut everyone’s hours, which sucked,” she said.
While construction is expected to be finished in a couple of years, some businesses said customers do not always realize they are still open. Schwiers said, “You have to make it through the two years so that people actually will be able to come here… if we have another bad year, we could have to close our doors.”
For now, businesses said they are keeping their doors open and hoping customers continue to come in. Asked what customers have told her, Gutman said, “They just say they’re very sorry for us.”
The city of Charleston released a statement saying it will continue working with businesses and construction teams to support improved coordination throughout the project, and encouraged residents to continue supporting businesses on Saint Philip Street.
