For two years, much of Main Street was torn up while the streetcar construction took place. Now that the city prepares for its launch, two businesses are sharing their excitement.
Thursday marked Affare’s fourth anniversary. Chef and owner Martin Heuser wasn’t sure he’d see the day.
"I mean it's just, like so exciting for us. Like wow. We are still standing,” Heuser said. “After two years of having fences and cones and construction and dust and no parking, you name it."
The streetcar construction took a toll of Heuser’s restaurant. It put him behind by tens of thousands of dollars. He also lost some employees.
Just across Main Street is a very different story. The brand new Simple Science Juices just moved in and opened Monday, just in time to capitalize off the launch of the streetcar.
“This is our springboard, our platform, our second location," explained owner Steve Spangler.
Spangler wanted a spot in the Crossroads, but specifically next to the rails.
“Again, our whole concept is making health as convenient as possible, and with the streetcar, there is no greater convenience than being able to ride the streetcar up and down,” he said.
Both local small business owners hope the streetcar means the same thing - a big boost in business and a new beginning.
“Now, we finally are here and I really hope that the city and all the restaurants and all the businesses will prosper,” Heuser said.
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Lexi Sutter can be reached at lexi.sutter@kshb.com.
