KCK BBQ restaurant blames construction on business woes

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Ricky's Pit Barbeque in Kansas City, Kan., is nearing bankruptcy -- and the owner blames construction.

The restaurant, at 38th Street and Leavenworth Road, is in the middle of an area under construction since early March.

According to the city, workers are installing new gas and water lines in a several block area.  The expect construction to be complete in four to six weeks.

But Ricky's owner Ricky Smith says the project has blocked-off half his parking lot and caused traffic back-ups that deter customers from coming to his business.

"People complain about the big plates they have in the street tearing up their tires, and [customers] just don't stop in," Smith explained.

He said he would get nearly 30 customers on a slow day last summer, but now he's lucky to get five.

"All we do is pay the light bill and the gas bill and buy supplies," Smith said.  "We go without a paycheck."

He relies on his regulars like Demond McMillian, but even he says the construction is getting unbearable.

"It deter people from this whole street," McMillian said.  "Don't nobody want to come this way because it's just messed up."

Smith said he can only hope that when the workers leave, his customers return.