Construction has business owners considering calling it quits

REGINA – It hasn’t even been two full weeks since construction started on Victoria Avenue East and already businesses are feeling the pinch.

Some are even ready to close their doors, including Robin’s Doughnuts.

“I’m living in hell every day,” said owner Yinghua Liu. “If you are an owner, and you see your sales go down every day, how would you feel?”

She bought the store a year and a half ago and wants to go back in time to cancel the deal.

Since construction started on Victoria Avenue, blocking off access at Coleman Crescent, Liu said she has been losing customers.

“Since they blocked the road, my business just goes down very much.”

Once the Eastgate Drive bridge closes, the only way for customers coming from the west to access businesses on the north side of Victoria Avenue will be to turn left onto Prince of Wales Drive and then cut through the Holiday Inn parking lot.

“Who will come turn in a big circle just for a cup of coffee?” said Liu.

Next door, it’s the same story at Dawat India. Owner Rajinder Verma said business is down 20 per cent and his restaurant was almost empty at lunch on Friday.

“It was terrible for us, because we are thinking, how do we do the business?” he said. If the city refuses to reconsider closing the Eastgate Drive bridge, Verma said he will have no option but to shut down.

“That means we are out of business,” he said. “I spent a lot of money on this business.”

Even if he closes his doors, he will still be left on the hook for rent, as he has nine years left in his ten year lease.

Verma and Liu have both spoken to Wine Kits owner David Carvell.

All three argued they were not properly consulted by the city prior to construction starting.

“We’re really disappointed with the communication process from the city, or the lack of communication from the city,” said Carvell.

But roadways and transportation director Norman Kyle said messages were delivered by his staff prior to an open house in June.

He did, however, admit the messages may not have been delivered to the right people.

“It may have gone to somebody who was working there who didn’t pass it on to the owner or manager.”

Carvell said he didn’t receive his pamphlet until the day after the open house. He was able to attend the meeting because he saw the notice in the newspaper, but said turnout was poor.

Construction in the area started June 22 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.