The construction around Second Avenue downtown in Nashville is part of a project to improve the area after the 2020 Christmas Day bombing. However, businesses in the area are concerned that their shops are hard to spot amidst the ongoing construction. Morgan Bell, a manager at Nashville Souvenirs, mentioned that foot traffic has changed significantly, with potential customers assuming the area is closed due to barricades and fences.
Despite efforts by the Nashville Downtown Partnership to inform people that businesses are open with banners encouraging them to “turn the corner,” businesses are still feeling the impact. For example, Mattheessen’s dessert shop has seen a 40 percent decrease in sales compared to last year, even after a big Morgan Wallen show last weekend. Hunter Mattheessen expressed disappointment as the expected increase in customer traffic did not materialize, and it was just an average Saturday on Second Avenue.
The full project is expected to be completed by early next year, but businesses are eagerly anticipating the reopening of part of the road in September. This will come as a relief during the busy summer tourist season, allowing businesses to better cater to visitors. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing construction, businesses are hopeful for improvements in the near future.
