OMAHA – Pickleman’s in Midtown Crossing has recently seen a decline in customer traffic.
“It is been extremely difficult to even keep the doors open,” said Spencer Elliott, the restaurant’s general manager.
Construction of underground utilities between Turner Boulevard and 35th Street is causing problems. City workers are preparing the sewer and electrical systems for the Omaha streetcar project.
However, one business owner told First Alert 6 that construction is causing his sales to drop by 40%.
“We are sitting here waiting for the customer, waiting for orders,” said Sea Thai’s owner, Preeda Joynoosaeng. “We have orders, but sometimes the customer cannot come because of the construction.”
They discovered that customers were avoiding the area, forcing them to cut back.
“It is been so slow that I have had to send my whole team home at like noon, which never happens in the restaurant industry,” Elliott joked.
Some are offering discounts and other incentives to get people in the door.
“Even for the construction workers, we are getting like little cards,” Elliott pointed out.
The city is aware of the concerns and has attempted to assist by putting up signs indicating that the businesses are open.
According to city officials, the section between Turner and 35th was supposed to be completed by the end of May. It is now expected to be completed between early and mid-June.
Once that is completed, crews will proceed west along Farnam to 40th Street.
Midtown businesses are hoping for better days ahead, but they need the community’s support.
“Just waiting for them to finish,” Joynoosaeng explained.