Editor's note: writes in response to the BayToday stories Business owner feels no luck as construction devastates his business and City explains McNamara St. construction that's frustrating Lucky 13 owner
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Dear City officials and news editor,
I am the owner of Cha Miao, a popular local bubble tea shop in the North Bay McKeown area, close to the North Bay Regional Hospital.
I am writing to express my deep concerns and frustrations stemming from the ongoing construction project on McKeown Avenue, which has severely impacted my bubble tea business. Since the beginning of this project, we have faced an overwhelming number of challenges that threaten our ability to stay in business.
As we are still in our first year of operation, we were excited about the potential to serve our community and build a loyal customer base. However, the notice of a “year-long-plus major construction project” has turned our optimism into despair.
Our employees and customers struggle daily to navigate the traffic to access our shop, leading to a significant decline in sales. Despite our best efforts to encourage traffic and reassure our staff, we are finding it nearly impossible to cover our increasing operational expenses. We have already been forced to lay off employees and reduce operating hours, a heartbreaking decision that weighs heavily on our team.
The city’s decision to close nearby intersections and use adjacent streets for construction staging has made it even harder for customers to reach us.
The severely limited communications from both the construction company and the City of North Bay leave us in a constant state of uncertainty. While the City assures that efforts are being made to minimize the impact on businesses, the reality we face is anything but reassuring. The ongoing disruptions, including water availability issues, have created an environment that deters customers from visiting.
The financial strain caused by this construction project is immense. With no aid from landlords or the city, we are left to bear the full brunt of these hardships. Other businesses on the street have also noticed a dramatic decline in their sales (Lucky 13), and the stress is palpable among our staff. Despite our best efforts, nothing seems to convince people that navigating through the construction is worth the hassle.
Our once-thriving bubble tea shop now stands at the brink of closure. The dream we had of creating a beloved local spot is slipping away due to circumstances beyond our control. We urge the city to understand the gravity of our situation and provide genuine support and clear communication. The prolonged construction and lack of transparency have put us in an untenable position.
We believe in the potential benefits of this project for future improvements, but the current hardships are too great to ignore. Without immediate and concrete actions to mitigate the disruptions, we fear that Cha Miao, along with other affected businesses, will not survive to see the project's completion.
We implore the city to prioritize the well-being of local businesses and work collaboratively with those of us who are affected to find solutions that will allow us to stay afloat and continue to serve our community.
Sincerely,
Ben Chen,
Manager
Cha Miao Bubble Tea Shop
