The road construction on Hazeltine Avenue and Baker Street in Jamestown has caused significant frustration and financial losses for Peter Weinreich, the franchise owner of the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 321 Hazeltine Ave. The construction, which began on June 27 and is expected to be completed by the end of August, has resulted in a drastic decrease in sales for Weinreich’s business.
Weinreich expressed his dismay over the situation, stating that the road construction has blocked 66 percent of the streets leading to his store, leaving only the smallest street open with inadequate signage. This has led to confusion among customers, with some believing that all the businesses in the area are closed. As a result, Weinreich estimates that his store has lost over $100,000 in sales since the construction began.
The road construction project, designed by city Public Works engineers and funded by Chautauqua County, aims to change the intersection near Persell Middle School from a ‚Y‘ shape to a ‚T‘ shape. According to Jamestown Department of Public Works acting Director Mark Roetzer, Jr., the goal is to create a safer intersection by narrowing the road and forcing drivers to slow down when turning.
Despite the city’s efforts to improve road safety, Weinreich’s business has suffered greatly. He mentioned that his store had been experiencing steady growth over the years, with sales exceeding $3 million in the previous year. However, since the start of the construction, Weinreich has been forced to cut staffing hours to cope with the financial losses. He expressed concerns about the future viability of his business, stating that he may have to make further cuts if the situation does not improve.
Weinreich’s frustrations have been compounded by the lack of communication from city officials regarding the impact of the road construction on local businesses. Despite reaching out for comment, no official response has been received at the time of this writing. The uncertainty surrounding the future of his business has left Weinreich feeling uncertain and anxious about the road ahead.
In conclusion, the road construction on Hazeltine Avenue and Baker Street has had a detrimental impact on Peter Weinreich’s 7-Eleven franchise store. The lack of proper signage, communication, and support from city officials has exacerbated the financial losses experienced by Weinreich. As the construction project nears completion, the future of Weinreich’s business remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges faced by small business owners in navigating unexpected disruptions to their operations.