Uncovering the Impact of Nashville’s Ongoing Downtown Construction on Local Businesses: The struggle for survival amidst fences and barricades.

The ongoing construction in Second Avenue downtown Nashville is part of a larger project to revitalize the area following the 2020 Christmas Day bombing. However, local businesses are concerned that their shops are being overlooked amidst the ongoing construction. Morgan Bell, manager at Nashville Souvenirs, explained that foot traffic has significantly changed, 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 encouraging 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 cater to visitors. Despite the challenges posed by ongoing construction, businesses remain hopeful for improvements in the near future.