Water Street delay saves business from disaster
Wednesday was opening day for Fog Off Clothing Co. in downtown St. John's and owner Tim Hennebury-Fudge is grateful for the city's recent decision to delay its Water Street reconstruction project.
Hennebury-Fudge told CBC that the project would have been disastrous for his new business.
"I was a bit stressed out to be honest as every other business owner kind of is here," said Hennebury-Fudge.
"It's already an issue down here to park, it's crazy actually … and how many people would want to come down with construction going on."
Hennebury-Fudge signed a lease for his Water Street location in August, months after the City of St. John's had announced their three-year project to rip up and replace the water and sewer systems on the street.
He added that his landlord never told him but he found out three weeks after his lease was signed.
"I felt a bit ripped off that I wasn't informed by my landlord, who not forced me, but wanted me to sign a three year lease," said Hennebury-Fudge.
Hennebury-Fudge said his 'Fog Off' brand is relatively new but its association with mental health foundations has played a part in its popularity. The Water Street store is his third location to open this year.
The city's decision to postpone the work until 2017 will give his business at least one year to establish itself.
It may be another two or three years before the construction would shut down the street outside his store and Hennebury-Fudge says he can live with that.
"The delay until 2017 is kind of promising," said Hennebury-Fudge. "I guess we're just going to have to take it as it comes."