Despite construction, downtown Concord shops are still open

CONCORD, N.C. — Construction lines one of the busiest parts of downtown Concord, but businesses owners want you to know that they are open.

It can be stressful for businesses surrounded by the construction, especially after surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite Union Street’s closure, the City of Concord is working hard to make sure people know they’re still operating.

Downtown Concord is filled with the sights and sounds of a major construction project, but it’s also filled with small businesses that are still open despite the ongoing work.

“We just kind of show people it’s OK to come through and come in,” said Emily Cordero, who owns Press and Porter Coffee and Pourhouse with her sister.

Cordero told Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz revitalization of downtown Concord is exciting for a local business, but the construction can come with some stress.

“We are excited for the streetscape when it is finished,” she said. “It’s just getting through that point and coming off of the cusp of COVID and making it through that. It’s scary to be going into 12 months of road closures and parking changes.”

Cordero said she uses social media to spread the word that her shop is open, and the City of Concord is doing the same.

Sharee Allen, a downtown development coordinator, pops into different businesses like Not Just Franks to highlight the shop and owners. The goal is to draw more customers in.

“I just wanted to see who is behind the business, who is behind the brand,” she said.

On a beautiful day like Thursday, the construction maze wasn’t stopping people from enjoying their favorite places

“It is a little kind of stressful to meander around the construction, but that’s not going to stop me from wanting to go to these beautiful businesses,” patron Deanna Jordan told Goetz.

Another thing the city is doing to attract people to the area is a “Social Saturday,” which is happening on May 20. There will be live music and vendors to get people comfortable walking around the area.

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