WINOOSKI, Vt. (WCAX) – Main Street in Winooski is full of noise since construction kicked off on the Main Street Revitalization Project this spring. But for businesses, it’s quiet.
Vermont Curries and Cocktails opened its doors right before road work began. That’s made it hard to get a strong start. The restaurant mostly takes orders online and says it’s difficult to stay afloat and connect with the community as construction continues.
“We don’t really see a lot of people come in besides Saturday-Sunday. Besides that, we don’t really see anyone,” said Abinav Niroula of Vermont Curries and Cocktails.
Just up the road, Hamro Sagarmatha Grocery Store saw its sales halved, and sometimes, goods go to waste.
“It is affecting us massively. Sometimes the road is closed both ways. People don’t want to come because they don’t want to get stuck in the traffic, or it’s too slow, it’s always muddy,” said Bishal Dhaurali of Hamro Sagarmatha Grocery.
Next door at Golden Scissors Haircuts, stylist Melissa Dinh says she can’t afford to move her business. In times like this, she is especially grateful for her regulars.
“I’ll hang out here, hopefully keep my door open and be available for any customers– loyal customers, new customers– willing to come and support me,” Dinh said.
There are still two more years to the project. Until then, the most these businesses can do is remind people they’re still open and hope for the best.