Back in the flow

When the Monroe Street Bridge closed in 2003, affected merchants may have wanted to jump off it. Now, a year after it reopened, many are jumping for joy.

Business has picked up for North Monroe Street’s mom-and-pop entrepreneurs, some of whom said they were barely hanging on during the 2½ year renovation of the bridge. Since the bridge reopened on Sept. 17, 2005, its immediate neighborhood also has attracted new businesses.

“We feel a huge difference,” said Tery Garras, co-owner of Monroe Street Bridge Antique Market, 604 N. Monroe St. “Our business has bounced back to levels before the bridge was closed.”

Added Jordan McCandless, manager of Charley’s Grill and Spirits, 801 N. Monroe St.: “The (Monroe Street) arterial was dead in this town. People would come through for one reason and one reason only. The courthouse.”

Now, it’s easy again for drivers to stop by the familiar stores and restaurants, as well as check out new businesses.

“One of the reasons we moved here was because of all the traffic,” said Jen Lee, owner of Diva’s Hair Studio, one block north of the bridge at 701 N. Monroe St.

Bob Turner of the city’s traffic department said the average daily traffic on the bridge was 24,100 in 2000. Since the bridge reopened, the traffic has increased to 29,300.

One neighborhood spot, Top Notch Café, has closed since the bridge reopened. One year ago, owner Cliff Daigler said he lost an estimated $60,000 in business while the bridge was closed.

For other small shops, like Golden Rule Brake, 625 N. Monroe St., the return of steady business was slow. Ray Yellington, store manager, said the garage had to cut staff during the renovation and he came close to being laid off.

“Things have turned around 100 percent,” Yellington said recently when every bay was filled.

But it didn’t happen overnight. Yellington said it took about three months, and now the garage is back at full staff.

“The activity in this general area has picked up dramatically,” said Garras, whose 9,000-square-foot antique shop is across from the garage.

Since the bridge reopened, Garras and her husband, Chris Garras, took over the business from Chris’ parents, Bill and Elizabeth. The family has owned the business since the 1940s, so staying afloat during bridge construction wasn’t quite as difficult. Plus, regulars continued to stop in, and there were the usual first-time visitors.

Kevin Ance, an antiques-store owner at 705 N. Monroe St. is hoping antique shoppers will discover his new shop. He and his girlfriend, Anna Nordtvedt, opened Kaleidoscope Antiques & Collectibles in July.

Diva’s Hair Studio relocated into the neighborhood, taking over the spot most recently used as a physical therapy office.

On some days, Lee and her colleagues grab a bite at the Alpine Bistro & Bakery Co. It, too, is new, taking over the Genova Bread Co. space.

Another newcomer is Time Bomb, a vintage bicycle, old toys and unique furniture store, 711 N. Monroe St. The space was the longtime home of Little Nell’s Record until owner Eloise Moeller retired before the bridge reopened.

Nate Huston said business has been great at the bike shop, which is owned by Joshua Scott. “It has come as a complete shock to us,” Huston said. “If the bridge weren’t open, we wouldn’t be here.”