Local businesses strategize in face of parking shutdown

North Main Street appeared vacant Monday afternoon after street crews closed the road to begin installing new water lines. -- Michael Pommier/Tribune Photo

By Michael Pommier

The Fort Scott Tribune

As the City of Fort Scott, along with Kissick Construction, closes yet another street for the StreetScape Project, downtown businesses are making adjustments while looking toward the future.

The City of Fort Scott recently announced that Wall Street will be closed from National Avenue to Scott Avenue as well as North Main until further notice. This is in addition to a section of South Main from Wall Street to 2nd Street. During these closing the businesses and sidewalks are slated to remain open.

"Its not always convenient to make something better," said Country Cupboard owner Judy Renard.

Some businesses like the Country Cupboard have been getting ready for the closure by talking to their customers and warning them about the street shutdowns. In fact, the Country Cupboard is taking advantage of the parking lot behind their store by placing a sign on their back door so that customers know that the business is still open.

"Just look for the sign, our back door is open," said Renard.

The Country Cupboard is not the only business taking advantage of having parking at the rear of their store. Books and Grannies is hoping that people will use their store to get to Main Street from Skubitz Plaza. They are also hoping that they will buy a book or two on the way.

The Uniques and Antiques Flea Market and the Back Room Copy Shop is also hoping that having Skubitz Plaza behind their store will help offset the effect of the street's closure.

There is little doubt that the construction will affect the amount of business that these stores bring in, however, they are not too worried about closing their doors any time soon.

"It would take more than that," said Raymond Allen owner of Uniques and Antiques Flea Market and the Back Room Copy Shop.

Attitudes remain positive but they are not without skepticism. The business owners are still focused on the big picture, the improvement of downtown Fort Scott and the over all improvement of the city.

"I think the renovations will be great, if there is anybody left," said Allen.