EAGLE, Idaho (CBS2) — Small businesses in the city of Eagle have seen less traffic over the past few months as the city urbanizes.
Construction has become the norm, with the city putting up new buildings, while also working on various road infrastructure projects. It's part of the city's long-term vision to become a more walkable, bike-friendly place.
Megan Hoiosen, the owner of a vintage and home-décor store, Sweet Tea Living, has seen business decrease in the last few months. Her business is located next to the future site of Eagle Gateway, which is currently a few small businesses and dirt parking lots. Eagle Gateway is a major construction project that will add a mixed-used commercial and residential space in the heart of the city.
(Eagle Gateway will be built on the corner of Eagle and State, and occupy space from 67 E State St, down to the intersection.)
The construction next to Hoiosen's shop and the construction around the rest of the city has impacted several businesses.
"We have a group of business owners down here that we've been meeting with," Hoiosen said. "We've all kind of seen a difference in the amount of people out and about here in Eagle."
Hoiosen has optimism that the downtown projects will bring long-term benefits to the city and local businesses but notes that it will be a challenging period before the city is built-out.
"I definitely think it's going to be to our advantage as businesses if we can just hold on and make it through kind of the next year or two," Hoiosen said. "The whole goal is for people to be able to come down and be like a destination where people can come and eat and shop, and bring their families and have some fun down here in Eagle, which we're really excited to be a part of. We just have to kind of get through these next growing pains before that can happen."
Fewer customers forced Hoiosen to make changes to her operations.
"So we've definitely had to kind of look at 'what do we spend our money on, how much product can I bring in,' Hoiosen said. "Also I've had to cut hours from some of my employees just because we don't have enough business to keep my whole staff here on site."
The city is working on coming up with ways to help support local businesses through this time. Eagle has managed to get a coffee company, Holland's Bites and Brews, to park their truck downtown, to help stir up business.
Hoiosen concluded by saying that while construction equipment and cranes generally turn away customers, residents and those passing through should still come into the city to check out local businesses, so they and other stores can grow through word of mouth.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwscCgo55lkqrAqrrErKqeq12ZsqK4jLCgraBdmby4utOorqdlk6S7tMDRrpqtoZ%2BjerG%2BzqOcnKyj