King Street LRT closure brings 30% cut in business for Central Fresh
Store owner Mike Williamson says better signage key to keeping his business afloat
Central Fresh Market has seen its business cut by about 30 per cent after just a few days of closures on King Street in Kitchener as construction for the Ion light rail transit kicks into high gear.
"They've had three or four years to plan for this and now they have to execute this plan but it just doesn't seem that there's any thought," said Mike Williamson, owner of the independent grocery store located midtown on King Street West near Andrew Street.
"There's no concern, no regard for our businesses, our employees, our customers. It's just 'get this thing built.'"
Additional signs needed
King Street West was first shut last Monday between Victoria Street and Union Boulevard as part of ongoing – and extended – closures to allow for LRT construction.
As one of the only major grocery stores in Kitchener's core, Central Fresh Market sees 14,000 customers come through its doors every week.
We've been here 17 years, we've worked very hard…to get our business to where it is and we're not prepared to lose any of it.- Mike Williasmson, owner of Central Fresh Market
In addition, the store receives 130 deliveries a week, most coming in on large trucks that are struggling to navigate the tight turns on King Street with only one lane available.
In advance of the construction, Williamson said he met with regional staff and representatives from Grandlinq, the consortium of engineering, construction and financial services companies responsible for building the LRT.
He said they assured him ample signage would be provided to help direct customers through the detours, ensuring people could get to the store. For the first three days of the closures last week no such signs had been posted, prompting Williamson to call and email the region in hopes of having the situation rectified.
Since then, Grandlinq has installed additional signage, and regional staff have visited Williamson's store to help alleviate some of his concerns.
Grandlinq says it's working with businesses
"I think there is always opportunity for improvement. I don't think anyone would ever say everything is perfect," said Avril Fisken, community relations manager for Grandlinq.
Still, Williamson said he feels like he's had to take on the burden of spreading the word, paying for additional advertising, printing maps for customers to show them alternate routes to the store, and even purchasing his own signs to install at major intersections.
"We've been here 17 years, we've worked very hard … to get our business to where it is and we're not prepared to lose any of it," Williamson said.