PULLMAN, Wash. – Construction crews have been actively working in downtown Pullman since April to make the area more people friendly.
The project is meant to improve streets, sidewalks, landscaping and more.
Construction started during one of the busiest times of year for local businesses.
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While walking in the area is allowed during construction, Main Street is closed to traffic from Grand to Spring, negatively impacting one local cafe.
“Right now, I’m open to pay rent and employees and that’s it,” said Quincy Robert, the owner of Pups and Cups Cafe.
Robert said the construction led to less business during Washington State University’s end of the year activities.
“I had to cut hours. I work as much as I can, and that’s just the best that we can do,” Robert said. “Keeping my door open was more important to me than anything else.”
Now, Robert is nervous he will miss out on the usual traffic that comes with back to school and the beginning of football season.
“It makes me feel absolutely abandoned,” Robert said.
Pullman Mayor Francis Benjamin said city officials and organizations try to show support by hosting meetings downtown and buying gift cards as much as they can.
Robert said he hasn’t seen the support. This has affected the cafe so much, he’s decided to sell it.
But not all businesses have been hit as hard. Chris Chandler, the owner of Neill’s Coffee and Ice Cream, said business is doing fine.
Chandler said they are doing what they can to help people have easier access to the downtown area. They have signs in the back directing people where to go and are allowing people to use their back door in order to access downtown.
“A lot of people come in and we sell ice cream, so there’s a lot of kids coming through the different camps.” Chandler said. “Then kids of course coming to and from the pool and everybody looking for a nice air conditioned spot to just hang out and have a sweet treat.”
Chandler is also the project manager for Neill’s Flowers and Gifts. He said that business was also still very busy during graduation season.
The City said construction is still expected to be completed in mid-October.
In the meantime, the local downtown businesses would appreciate the community’s support.
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