It’s a closure that will affect the bottom line of numerous businesses in Kelowna. Lakeshore Road between Cook Road and Lexington Drive has been closed for three weeks now and already some businesses are being hit hard.
The businesses feeling the biggest impact are those that rely heavily on passing traffic.
The Creekside Pub is one of the businesses affected. While evenings are doing well, the manager says the lunch crowds have fizzled.
“The lunches for sure took a big hit because people are limited with their time and although it’s only a three or four minute detour you still have to get back to work,” says Daniel Perju.
The pub’s beer and wine store next door is also taking a big hit as it has lost customers driving by.
“Just because of the inconvenience. It’s more of a convenience store than a destination,” says Perju.
Across the street at the Mission Superwash, owner Maurice Matte says business is down dramatically–at least 50 percent.
He says not only is there less traffic but customers are reluctant to wash their cars with all the construction dust around.
The carwash is now offering all kinds of deals to lure back customers. In fact so are many other businesses. They’ve banded together to offer coupons called Mission bridge deals.
At the Total E’Clips Salon Spa, the owner is taking the promotion one step further and offering free pickup and drop off for tourists from nearby resorts like Manteo and El Dorado.
“You have to be creative in these situations and step outside the box and think differently because this is our business and so many people rely on these guests coming to us. My staff, this is how they get paid. We really have to be creative,” says owner Linda Russell.
Creekside pub is also offering different promotions including a free round of golf for customers who spend more than 50-dollars.
The businesses that are considered destination or specialty businesses like Mission Meats and the Lakeshore vet clinic say they are fortunate that they have not been affected by the construction project.
The road is expected to reopen sometime late November.
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