Construction hurts downtown Spokane

Like many downtown merchants, Julia Lara, owner of the Paper Nerd Stationery Co. and French Toast children’s boutique at 159 S. Lincoln St., has been affected by the summer street construction in front of her shops. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

Businesses are suffering in downtown Spokane construction zones, and the city is asking the public to help out with their spending power. Ava Haase bought the Next Door cafe at Lincoln Street and Riverside Avenue last December and is struggling to get through a summer of construction work surrounding her shop. Haase said business is down by more than half. Her regular customers haven’t been venturing out to cross streets that are torn up, but she still needs their support. “Come eat some sandwiches,” she said.

Down the block and around the corner, the Tamarack Public House is hurting as well. Owner Teresa Gonder said surviving construction on Sprague Avenue between Monroe and Lincoln streets is “a huge challenge.” Her walk-in traffic fell off dramatically when work started earlier this season. “We are hanging on by a thread,” she said/ Mike Prager , SR. More here (subscription).

DFO: Junior, Miss Stephanie, Mrs. O & I braved Lincoln Street work to enjoy dinner at the Steam Plant Grill in downtown Spokane. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. But the meal was swell after we navigated the construction zone and found parking.

Question: Do you venture to downtown Spokane often?