Small Town News

Detour affects local businesses

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For motorists traveling along Highway 19 for the past few weeks, the detour around Winthrop has been what one might call a pain.

But for the businesses located along the highway, it has been more than that. The lack of traffic has been messing with their livelihood.

The highway is being detoured because of road work that needs to be done to install turn lanes into the industrial park.

The detour has had varying effects for the three businesses that are located within the construction zone.

Dave Kiel of Dave's Auto has seen a drastic drop in business. He estimates sales have dropped 40-50 percent.

"There is no foot traffic. No one walks in the door," he said. "A lot of times people drive by and see something. But it's not for themselves. It's for a family member of friend. Then they go tell the person what they've seen and come back. I'm not getting that right now."

He thinks that it will probably take two weeks after the highway reopens that he gets that business back to normal.

For now he has to rely on the newspapers and his website. "They help but we really rely on the drive-by traffic," Kiel said. "Being on the highway, that's my storefront."

He knew there would be an effect but it is a bit worse than he had figured. "I thought there would be a little more accessibility than there is."

Gary Neid of NAPA has'been pleasantly surprised.

"It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be," he said. "People have found their way out here. The city has been excellent. We were completely blocked off one day. I called city hall and Mark (Erickson, city administrator) was down here right away and got it opened back up."

The biggest thing Neid is missing is the truck traffic. "We would get a few stop by going into the ethanol plant and the elevator. I do get customers off the road all the time. I hope they get it done soon for everybody's sake."

Lance Wiborg of Lance's Tire and Repair said that he hasn't lost much business but it has been a little quieter. One thing that has increased is his towing business as he's had to get some people out of tricky spots in the construction zone.

"I look forward to having this done," Wiborg said. "I think this whole project will be well worth it. I enjoy seeing Winfield come in here and the addition of UFC a few years back was great for the city."

All three agree on one thing, it will be safer for their customers getting into their business once the turn lanes are installed.

"We're going to have some room now," Neid said. "It can get a little sticky turning in and out of here."

Kiel is glad that he has two entrances to his business because there are times he is waiting to turn off the highway for oncoming traffic and trucks are barreling out of Winthrop and he is afraid he may get hit.

"I think this is the safe way of doing it," Wiborg said. "Things are getting a little congested out here."

Winthrop Dairy Queen and Lyle's Cafe are located on the highway but past the road closure. They have also taken a hit to business because the detour takes travelers to the west edge of Winthrop and many won't back track into town, they will just keep going.

Chris Moelter of Dairy Queen said his sales are down 25-30 percent. School has started and game nights have helped the DQ get through but those sales would have been there had the detour not been in effect.

"I really didn't know what to expect. I haven't been through a construction detour before," Moelter said. "I think it would have been better to detour the traffic to the south and then bring them up through town."

Barb Johnson of Lyle's Cafe said her sales are down at least in half. She also relies on the traffic going through town, "People get on a roll when they are traveling and they just keep going. They aren't going to come back into town," she said.

The affects have been felt with the Monday farmer's market in her parking lot as well. She has waived the $5 a week fee to vendors during the detour.

"The State Fair, Labor Day and school shopping--I missed out on all of that traffic. Those are the busiest times of the year for me."

According to Public Works Supervisor Gordy Grack, if all goes well with the gravel work this week, blacktop work is expected to begin next week. Then all that will be left is for the striping crew to put down the stripes and the detour will be lifted.



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© 2009 Winthrop News Winthrop, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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