Small businesses in Sugar House along 2100 South have been facing significant challenges due to ongoing construction. However, the holiday pause in construction has brought a much-needed respite.

Holiday Construction Halt: A Boon for Sugar House Businesses

Impact on Businesses

Emily Potts, the owner of Sugar House Coffee, has owned the place for 14 years. She expressed her distress as this year with construction was one of the worst financial years she had witnessed. "We are down about 33%," she told KSL TV. The constant presence of orange barrels, lane closures, and traffic congestion made it extremely difficult for customers to find parking and navigate to the businesses.For more than a year, these construction-related issues have been a part of 2100 South between 1300 East and 1000 East. Some businesses had no choice but to close their doors. Derek Williamson, a small business owner and vice chair of the Sugar House Community Council, mentioned the loss of Sugar House Barbecue, Pizza Volta, and Fiddler's Elbow. "Just countless other little coffee shops and café's that didn't make it," he said.

Welcome Sight for Businesses

Now, what the businesses are seeing along 2100 South is a welcome change. Free-flowing traffic with no orange barrels or lane closures is like a one-month holiday gift from the city of Salt Lake. Potts, who has 19 employees she considers as her kids, wanted to keep their hours. "I paid them as much as I could but also did what I had to do to keep the doors open," she said.Barber Kyle Condie, who owns Sugar House Barber Shop, also noticed the increase in foot traffic. It's a relief to finally see things getting back to normal.This holiday construction halt has had a profound impact on the small businesses in Sugar House. It has given them a chance to breathe and focus on their operations. With the traffic congestion gone, customers can easily reach the businesses, which is expected to have a positive impact on their sales and overall financial situation.We hope this construction halt continues to benefit the small businesses in Sugar House and helps them recover from the tough times they have faced.