Portland small business owners on North Williams Avenue are gearing up for the upcoming five-week closure of southbound Interstate 5 through the Rose Quarter, starting September 11. Many are uncertain about how this will impact their businesses, with expectations of increased traffic—either helping or deterring customers.
Marty Lemke, owner of Circle Round, reports that some regulars are already concerned about navigating the area during construction. She believes that while more traffic could bring in new customers, it might also dissuade regulars from visiting. Similarly, Stacee Wion, owner of Spielwerk Toy, is uncertain whether the additional drivers will stop to shop or just pass through, although she sees potential for some to discover local businesses they hadn’t noticed before.
Overall, business owners are hopeful yet apprehensive, looking to adapt to the changes while keeping their customer base intact.
