TRAVERSE CITY — Businesses in and around the major road construction happening in Traverse City said ever since it started more than a week ago, they’ve seen a major decrease in foot traffic.
Business owner Sebastian Garbsch of Blue Goat Wine and Provisions said he’s seen exactly that.
“After the first three days we were down 80%, which is really hard when this time of year is already slow,” said Garbsch. “We are at the base of the peninsula, right where Front Street meets Peninsula Drive. So right now, if you don’t live on the peninsula, you can still get to us going east. You just would have to go through the detour.”
Because it’s harder for shoppers to get to their locations, one local multi-use space decided to help businesses “relocate” temporarily.
Flat Cap Ventures, a business and event space at 476 US-31 South, is holding a pop-up community impact market at their venue and inviting area businesses to take part.
“[It’s] exciting for us…we get to know those downtown community businesses even better. We’re looking forward to [not] just the relationships between them, but really helping them maybe have more success as they go through this journey,” said Flat Cap Ventures owner Judy Harrison.
They say Flat Cap is the perfect location for a pop-up market because they are away from the construction, have ample space and lots of parking. “And if it’s nice weather, we actually…can open up our back wall and have things outside,” added Harrison.
Garbsch said he thinks it’s a great idea. “It will definitely help. It’s all part of a bigger puzzle. For us, it’s the doing the in-home tasting experiences that we’re posting that we can do. It’s doing the deliveries. It’s explain to people how easy it is to get to us. It’s going to be doing some pop up events as well.”
The two day pop-up market will be Sunday and Monday, April 21 from 12 - 5 p.m. and April 22 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Bussinesses can participate for free.
Business owners impacted by the construction should contact Kristal Flateau at 231-649-6347 or by email at kristal@highimpactnow.com; Sherry Galbraith at 231-409-1528; or Judy Harrison at 231-620-6246 or by email at judy@highimpactnow.com
