Salem Business Owners Say Main Street Closure Hurt Sales

Salem business owners are seeing more customers this week after a months-long street closure finally ended on Monday.

The reopening of Main and Broad streets follows a stormwater drainage project that replaced infrastructure over 100 years old; the delay affected local businesses. While crews were originally scheduled to finish by Oct. 9, WDBJ reported that unforeseen circumstances pushed the timeline back several times.

The disruption hit small businesses.

“I have seen a significant increase in sales for Roanoke College because people can get to our store,” said Robin Bennett, owner of Sports Haven.

Salem Business Owners Say Main Street Closure Hurt Sales, Want Better City Communication — WDBJ7

The impact of the blocked streets was felt most acutely by retailers who rely on the foot traffic of the Roanoke College community. Bennett, who sells college merchandise, prepared for a major sales spike during the Maroons’ homecoming game against Averett, but the construction prevented any customers from reaching their storefront.

“I put up a tent, had clothes racks out there. I was planning for a big day. I was so excited. Not one thing sold to Roanoke College,” Bennett told WDBJ.

Bennett said that 70% of their business occurs between September and December. During the first week of the closure, the only visitor to their shop was the mailman, WDBJ reported.

Sean Turk, the owner of Olde Salem Brewing Company, shared the specific scale of the loss during a meeting with the Salem City Council on Nov. 9. Turk said the brewery saw almost 900 fewer sales between August and October compared to the same period last year.

Kimberly Bennett, the owner’s niece, emphasized that the physical barriers made it nearly impossible for the Saturday crowds to reach their doors. “They had the street blocked off,” she told WDBJ.

“This was a learning experience for us to make sure that we’re communicating better with people. We want to make sure that we have no intention to hide anything. We’re trying to get the word out as best we can,” said William Simpson, Salem City Engineer.

Moving forward, the city plans to provide advance notice of any upcoming lane closures. As part of the ongoing improvements to the area, the city is also in the process of installing new brick sidewalks. Current updates regarding city construction projects are being managed to prevent similar communication gaps in the future.

The infrastructure is now modernized.

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