The owners of a popular food truck park in Florence, South Carolina, are facing a significant drop in revenue due to ongoing road construction on Holly Circle. Kaylea and Wade Holt, who opened “Eats On the Creek” nearly a year ago, envisioned the space as a gathering spot for local vendors. However, since the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) began work on the roadway in late May, access has become a major issue, leading to a steep decline in customer traffic.

The construction project involves widening and straightening a curve on Holly Circle, adding turn lanes, installing a new traffic signal, and building sidewalks. While these improvements aim to enhance safety and traffic flow, the Holts claim they were not adequately informed prior to the start of the work. They expressed frustration over the lack of direct communication from SCDOT, noting that business dropped by half within the first week of the closure and continued to fall in the following weeks.

Despite signs indicating that the road is open to local traffic, many potential visitors are being deterred by detour notices and confusion about access. The Holts have urged the community to continue supporting the small businesses at their park and called for better outreach from transportation officials moving forward. SCDOT responded by stating that public meetings and press releases were conducted before the project began, and that daytime construction was chosen for safety and efficiency.

Small businesses often serve as the backbone of local economies, and their resilience depends heavily on community support and clear communication from authorities. As this situation unfolds, it highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies and local entrepreneurs to ensure development projects do not unintentionally harm the very communities they aim to improve.