Front Street closure could force a New Westminster business into bankruptcy
Posted February 26, 2016 7:29 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) – It’s been nearly a month since traffic on Front Street in New Westminster was shut down because of a construction project and some businesses say their bottom lines are taking a hit.
One shop owner says he’s teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
A large part of the street is blocked by huge fences; behind them are bulldozers. There are barely any cars parked in the area and you would never know there were even businesses along there.
Harm Woldring, owner of the Wine Factory, says within the next couple of months, he may have to close up shop.
“We’re not getting any new business. We’re not getting any walk-in business. We’re not getting any inquiries. People have basically understood that, ‘Oh, well Front Street is closed.'”
He feels like it’s a double-whammy, pointing out businesses are still recovering from a massive fire that gutted part the city’s downtown core three years ago.
“Yesterday, I sold nothing. There is nobody coming down Front Street to buy stuff at the moment. There is just no business.”
“Unless something turns in another direction, then yes, we’ll have to shut down. I’d love to stay here and service the customers I’ve got. We are still open. We are trying to stay open. I don’t know how we’re going to make six months — it’s not going to happen,” adds Woldring.
Front Street is closed to drivers until sometime in July for construction on the New Westminster Mews and the partial takedown of a nearby parkade.
Truck traffic is allowed eastbound on Royal Avenue and westbound on Columbia Street between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., commercial truck traffic will be permitted on 10th Avenue in both directions between Southridge Drive and McBride Boulevard.
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