Lake Street construction hurting local businesses

With the current construction in the intersection of Lake Street and Chicago Avenue, few cars or pedestrians are seen venturing down Chicago to reach local businesses.

For Chicago Lake Florist, located on the other side of the Chicago Avenue construction, it means counting daily customers on one hand.

Several businesses located on Chicago Avenue are sandwiched between the reconstruction of Lake Street, which is underway as well, and the rebuilding of the Chicago Avenue bridge over the Midtown Greenway, which is expected to be completed by the end of construction season.

Ernie Krasselt, manager of Chicago Lake Florist said his business is getting no cash flow during construction. Total daily walk-in customer purchases average $7.50 a day, he said.

"People can't get to the store," he said. "It just keeps getting tougher and the customers are flabbergasted just to find us."

Robert's Shoe Store, located on the corner of Chicago and Lake is also seeing a decrease in sales due to the construction. Owner Marker Simon said they are just "bearing up the burden" until the streets are redone.

"Due to construction, the buses were moved off of Lake Street," he said. "That's 15,000 people a day not transferring outside our store."

The Lake Street Council, which includes eight business associations along the street, is continuously working to assist the businesses suffering during the construction, said Joyce Wisdom, interim director of the council.

Through their efforts, banners hang around the area, reminding passersby the businesses are open, and a circular was sent reminding residents to continue to support the local businesses.

"Through our cooperative efforts we put into this, we are staying in touch with businesses and assessing their needs," she said.

While their intent is "honorable," the results are limited, Simon said.

"They don't want anyone to suffer, but it's inevitable with a massive renovation," he said.

David Johnson, owner of Chicago Lake Dental said he is able to manage around the construction due to his strategic planning.

"It's not a big deal for us," he said. "We just try our best to work around it."
Johnson said once finished, the area will be a regional draw, but he hopes the Allina headquarters doesn't turn into a fenced-in campus.

"Some places have corporate campuses where the employees eat lunch, take their breaks in their buildings and then leave," he said. "We hope we can encourage them to come out to lunch, stay a little late and enjoy the amenities we have to offer."

For Chicago Lake Florist, making through day-to-day operations is the worst, Krassett said.

"We put all these flowers in the cooler and when we don't sell them, we have to throw them away," he said.

Abbott Northwestern Hospital is making an effort to support the shop, but it isn't enough, he said.

"The hospital supports us as much as they can, but we don't have the support of the area, which makes every day more difficult," he said.

The neighborhood groups have recognized the florist's struggle and attempted to promote them during their meetings, Wisdom said.

"Every meeting the length of Lake Street I tell everyone if they need to buy flowers, Chicago Lake Florists needs your help," she said. "That means a lot, because a lot of what we see in retention is in word of mouth."

Despite the current struggles, Johnson said he is looking towards the future of the area, and is just waiting out the storm.

"If you want nice things, you have to pay for it," he said.

Simon said he is also optimistic about the end results of both construction projects and this will be the final piece to connect all of Lake Street.

"This will be a new neighborhood once this is done," he said. "There will be a different feeling in the air, not because there is new tar down, but because there are so many other things helping in the revitalization."

Wisdom said she hears many concerns from struggling businesses, but they are optimistic about the finished product.

"When the businesses are complaining, they aren't just whining," she said. "They all want to be around when construction is done and this is something they have to go through, and it will have a really positive effect in the end."