It has been a challenging summer for businesses along Ludington Street in Escanaba, but with paving work nearing completion, they are hoping a sidewalk promotion will bring customers back downtown.
Sue Parker, chair of the Escanaba Downtown Development Authoruty and owner of Nyman Jewelers, said foot traffic along Ludington Street dropped significantly during the construction.
“The main challenge is we don’t have the walk traffic,” Parker said, “and, a lot of smaller stores rely on people walking by their door to say, ‘oh look, this is something interesting, let’s go check it out.’ With that aspect not being available, it has hurt a lot of businesses.”
To encourage people to walk Ludington Street again, the Escanaba DDA is promoting the Sidewalk Sizzlin’ Summer Sales on Friday, Sept. 4.
Parker said the event is a great opportunity for people to return downtown and see the progress being made on the street.
“Absoloutely, it’s a great opportunity. Come down, check out the streets, check out the progress. We are almost there, folks. It’s going to be open real soon,” said Parker.
Sidewalk Sales are typically held in July, but the promotional event was postponed several times becasue of construction. The event is important to businesses like Lisa Ann who moves merchandise to make room for new items.
“The sidewalk sale is a time for us to move old inventory at a huge discount. Our summer clearance is up to 70 percent off so we can add new fashions this fall,” said Lisa LaLonde, owner of Lisa Ann.
Sidewalk work in the construction area is expected to be competed this week, city officials say, while paving of the street began last week.
Parker said that, in the end, the construction will make downtown Escanaba a better place.
“Anytime you do a facelift of this scale, I think it’s going to make it a more welcoming area to come to,” she said.
Downtown businesses are encouraged to use the sidewalk to invite people into their businesses. More information is avalable at escanabadowntown.com.
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