MONROE - His family business has survived a fire, a gasoline line explosion, annual blizzards, and a falling economy. But now, Jay Rushiti, owner of the Red Apple Inn on 8th Street, says he's afraid for the first time in 23 years.
For the past three weeks, since road construction began in front of his restaurant, Rushiti said weekly business has been down by as much as 40 percent.
"Basically, it's come to hoping they get done with this section and move on," he said. "I know that doesn't sound too supportive of the businesses further down the line."
Economic factors, like higher gasoline prices, would not have produced such a large, swift drop in diners, he added.
Rushiti said he doesn't blame others for problems like his that have come with a muti-million dollar project along a main road in town.
"This is a decision made by the community," he said.
Construction along the 900 and 1000 blocks of 8th Street will not be complete until the first part of May, city officials said.
The project includes replacing water and sanitary sewer mains, and widening 12 blocks of the 8th and 9th street corridor, a main thoroughfare through town.
Construction crews are instructed to keep at least one intersection open so drivers can cross construction areas to reach businesses on the north side of the street. But now the sidewalks are being taken out.
"The only (safe) way into the restaurant is from the rear, through Twining Park; but you can't ask people to walk that far," Rushiti said.
Most Red Apple Inn customers are senior citizens.
"That's just a fact," Rushiti said, "and they hate to be in danger when they are driving, even during the winter. They hesitate, as long as they see the machinery."
Rushiti has "high hopes" that the new street and infrastructure will be worth his efforts to stay in business.
He has posted signs to mark the way to the restaurant; he uses radio spots to reassure customers; and he is encouraging staff, who need their tip money.
"We are still open during regular hours, and I haven't cut staff," he said. "I'm trying to pull this together."
Karen Peterson, owner of Monroe Travel Centre in the Highlander Mall, said she has endured and survived many changes in the travel industry for more than 28 years - the Internet, the economy, cuts in commission, the airlines' eliminating commissions, and other challenges. Now, amid the construction, she too worries about the future.
"I've weathered it all, but watch the City of Monroe put me out of business," she said.
Dust and dirt are blowing through the air and getting tracked into her store. Running a business errand, which requires Peterson to close while she's away, now takes 30 minutes - twice as long as usual. And hefty postage costs to mail information packets that customers once picked up in person are hitting her budget.
Like the Red Apple Inn, Monroe Travel Centre has no alternative access route. Construction, she said, is cutting off customers and parking.
Peterson tries to direct customers into her business, "but that changes daily," she said. From Kwik Trip, customers must "proceed slowly over the drops and the rocks and the broken pavement into the parking lot," she said.
Some customers are just giving up and calling from home for their travel planning.
Others intent on getting to the travel center are parking blocks away and walking in. On Wednesday, construction crews were removing the sidewalks.
"My customers are wonderful," she said. "They know it's not my fault. My customers will get to me."
But as disruptive as the construction work is now, the widening of the road, Peterson said, will leave a lasting impact with the loss of her parking spaces. The city acquired frontage property about 7 feet deep along that area of the project.
"The upgrades to the water and sewer, that I understand, but the widening of the road, I don't understand (the reasoning for) that," she said.
With three more weeks to go before construction workers move on up the line, The Blue Ox is holding its breath and turning bluer.
"I hope they rush it," Ray Islami, manager of the restaurant, said.
Construction has hindered access to The Blue Ox Restaurant for a month, since work began March 14 at the corner of 8th Street and Wis. 69.
Weekly business, he said, has been down by 30 percent - the worst Islami has seen in his five years at the location. He has even had to lay off a waitress.
"We do get mostly senior citizens, but at night there's hardly anyone," he said.
Islami said regular customers are reaching the Blue Ox by a back driveway, and those that do come in are complaining about the construction.
But out-of-town customers can't find their way around the detour route, even though he has erected signs to point the way.
"And this is the start of the tourist season," he added.
Islami said he is out of ideas to prop up business. "If you have any, I'd like to hear them," he said.
For the past three weeks, since road construction began in front of his restaurant, Rushiti said weekly business has been down by as much as 40 percent.
"Basically, it's come to hoping they get done with this section and move on," he said. "I know that doesn't sound too supportive of the businesses further down the line."
Economic factors, like higher gasoline prices, would not have produced such a large, swift drop in diners, he added.
Rushiti said he doesn't blame others for problems like his that have come with a muti-million dollar project along a main road in town.
"This is a decision made by the community," he said.
Construction along the 900 and 1000 blocks of 8th Street will not be complete until the first part of May, city officials said.
The project includes replacing water and sanitary sewer mains, and widening 12 blocks of the 8th and 9th street corridor, a main thoroughfare through town.
Construction crews are instructed to keep at least one intersection open so drivers can cross construction areas to reach businesses on the north side of the street. But now the sidewalks are being taken out.
"The only (safe) way into the restaurant is from the rear, through Twining Park; but you can't ask people to walk that far," Rushiti said.
Most Red Apple Inn customers are senior citizens.
"That's just a fact," Rushiti said, "and they hate to be in danger when they are driving, even during the winter. They hesitate, as long as they see the machinery."
Rushiti has "high hopes" that the new street and infrastructure will be worth his efforts to stay in business.
He has posted signs to mark the way to the restaurant; he uses radio spots to reassure customers; and he is encouraging staff, who need their tip money.
"We are still open during regular hours, and I haven't cut staff," he said. "I'm trying to pull this together."
Karen Peterson, owner of Monroe Travel Centre in the Highlander Mall, said she has endured and survived many changes in the travel industry for more than 28 years - the Internet, the economy, cuts in commission, the airlines' eliminating commissions, and other challenges. Now, amid the construction, she too worries about the future.
"I've weathered it all, but watch the City of Monroe put me out of business," she said.
Dust and dirt are blowing through the air and getting tracked into her store. Running a business errand, which requires Peterson to close while she's away, now takes 30 minutes - twice as long as usual. And hefty postage costs to mail information packets that customers once picked up in person are hitting her budget.
Like the Red Apple Inn, Monroe Travel Centre has no alternative access route. Construction, she said, is cutting off customers and parking.
Peterson tries to direct customers into her business, "but that changes daily," she said. From Kwik Trip, customers must "proceed slowly over the drops and the rocks and the broken pavement into the parking lot," she said.
Some customers are just giving up and calling from home for their travel planning.
Others intent on getting to the travel center are parking blocks away and walking in. On Wednesday, construction crews were removing the sidewalks.
"My customers are wonderful," she said. "They know it's not my fault. My customers will get to me."
But as disruptive as the construction work is now, the widening of the road, Peterson said, will leave a lasting impact with the loss of her parking spaces. The city acquired frontage property about 7 feet deep along that area of the project.
"The upgrades to the water and sewer, that I understand, but the widening of the road, I don't understand (the reasoning for) that," she said.
With three more weeks to go before construction workers move on up the line, The Blue Ox is holding its breath and turning bluer.
"I hope they rush it," Ray Islami, manager of the restaurant, said.
Construction has hindered access to The Blue Ox Restaurant for a month, since work began March 14 at the corner of 8th Street and Wis. 69.
Weekly business, he said, has been down by 30 percent - the worst Islami has seen in his five years at the location. He has even had to lay off a waitress.
"We do get mostly senior citizens, but at night there's hardly anyone," he said.
Islami said regular customers are reaching the Blue Ox by a back driveway, and those that do come in are complaining about the construction.
But out-of-town customers can't find their way around the detour route, even though he has erected signs to point the way.
"And this is the start of the tourist season," he added.
Islami said he is out of ideas to prop up business. "If you have any, I'd like to hear them," he said.