Winnipeg convenience store on verge of closing due to construction

WINNIPEG — A local convenience store has barely made any sales in the last few days due to the construction happening out front.

“We had no choice but to lock the front door,” said Terry Johnson, who works with Hadeda Convenience Store on Selkirk Avenue. “We put up signs saying we are still open and asking people to use the back door, but customers assume it’s closed,” Johnson said.

READ MORE: More businesses on Selkirk Avenue brace for construction drought

The owner, Ravi Singh, is currently in British Columbia. He said he has put multiple calls into the city and he still doesn’t know how long the construction will last for outside his front door.

“We may not have a choice but to close and this could cause us to even close permanently,” Singh told Global News.

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“There isn’t much money in convenience stores, and a week or two like this could have devastating effects.”

There were other businesses affected earlier this summer on Selkirk Avenue due to the construction. Singh said that hurt his sales as well, but this is far worse.

The city said when it comes to the businesses suffering, there isn’t much they can do, but they hope the long term benefits of new roads help businesses in the future.

“The city understands that road construction can be disruptive for area businesses and residents and we work to minimize disruption,” Ken Allen with Public Works said. “It’s short term pain for long term gain.”

WATCH: Winnipeg’s Selkirk Avenue closure hits businesses hard