Fear lingers for some French Quarter businesses, with this construction project here on Decatur Street impacting their sales; many are just trying to stay afloat.”We’re looking at alternate venues, we’re trying to keep the lights on, pay rent on time, but it’s looking kind of bleak,” said store owner Kelsey Wolf. Sales are the lowest they’ve ever been at the art shop “Dead on Decatur.””We’re breaking records in the wrong direction. We were going steady, but this past year has been tanked,” said Wolf. Wolf said a construction project right in front of her business is making it difficult for customers to shop.It’s a part of the city’s efforts to improve aging pipes and infrastructure in the French Quarter, but the high fences protecting the work zone also cover several storefronts.The store owner said sales are down 50 percent compared to last year, and she’s fearful that if that doesn’t change soon, they may have to close their doors.”I’ve told my employees to make contingency plans, like I don’t want to have to do that, I just don’t want this to be the thing that puts us under,” Wolf said. Just a few doors down Decatur Street, Turtle Bay is also feeling the impact.”Our staff has been affected by this too; they don’t make as much money because people aren’t as likely to sit here with all the loud noise,” said Steve Smith.The restaurant had to cut down its staff because it wasn’t making enough money, with sales dropping about 30 percent. “I get that there’s a need to get this done, but I wish the timing was better so it wasn’t through football season and Mardi Gras, but we’re just doing the best we can,” said Smith.WDSU reached out to city leaders for an update on the project and asked if it is scheduled to be completed on time. We are waiting for a response.
Fear lingers for some French Quarter businesses, with this construction project here on Decatur Street impacting their sales; many are just trying to stay afloat.
“We’re looking at alternate venues, we’re trying to keep the lights on, pay rent on time, but it’s looking kind of bleak,” said store owner Kelsey Wolf.
Sales are the lowest they’ve ever been at the art shop “Dead on Decatur.”
“We’re breaking records in the wrong direction. We were going steady, but this past year has been tanked,” said Wolf.
Wolf said a construction project right in front of her business is making it difficult for customers to shop.
It’s a part of the city’s efforts to improve aging pipes and infrastructure in the French Quarter, but the high fences protecting the work zone also cover several storefronts.
The store owner said sales are down 50 percent compared to last year, and she’s fearful that if that doesn’t change soon, they may have to close their doors.
“I’ve told my employees to make contingency plans, like I don’t want to have to do that, I just don’t want this to be the thing that puts us under,” Wolf said.
Just a few doors down Decatur Street, Turtle Bay is also feeling the impact.
“Our staff has been affected by this too; they don’t make as much money because people aren’t as likely to sit here with all the loud noise,” said Steve Smith.
The restaurant had to cut down its staff because it wasn’t making enough money, with sales dropping about 30 percent.
“I get that there’s a need to get this done, but I wish the timing was better so it wasn’t through football season and Mardi Gras, but we’re just doing the best we can,” said Smith.
WDSU reached out to city leaders for an update on the project and asked if it is scheduled to be completed on time. We are waiting for a response.
