The ongoing construction on Second Avenue in Nashville’s downtown area is part of an initiative to revitalize the area after the 2020 Christmas Day bombing. However, businesses in the vicinity are concerned that their stores are difficult to locate amidst the ongoing construction. Morgan Bell, a manager at Nashville Souvenirs, stated that foot traffic has decreased significantly, with potential customers assuming the area is closed due to barricades and fences.
Despite efforts by the Nashville Downtown Partnership to inform people that businesses are open with banners urging them to “turn the corner,” businesses are still feeling the impact. For instance, Mattheessen’s dessert shop has seen a 40% decrease in sales compared to last year, even after a big Morgan Wallen show last weekend. Hunter Mattheessen expressed disappointment as the expected increase in customer traffic did not materialize, and it was just an average Saturday on Second Avenue.
The full project is expected to be completed by early next year, but businesses are eagerly anticipating the reopening of part of the road in September. This will come as a relief during the busy summer tourist season, allowing businesses to better serve visitors. Despite the challenges posed by ongoing construction, businesses remain hopeful for improvements in the near future.