DEL MAR, Calif. (KGTV) - Amid the excitement of Del Mar's Downtown Streetscape Project, many businesses are feeling the pain.
Along Camino Del Mar, there are pervasive sounds of construction activity, a stark contrast to the quiet interior of the Prep Kitchen restaurant. Four weeks ago, the construction played out right in front of the restaurant, serving up a 50% drop in business.
"The street by our restaurant was closed. Couldn't get to our parking garage. People didn't even known we were open. Drive past and assuming we were closed," said Armstrong.
The Downtown Streetscape Project started in January and is scheduled to wrap up in June. The $7.2 dollar project will bring new sidewalks, paving, bike lanes, landscaping and lighting along seven blocks of Camino Del Mar. But before that happens, the pain continues.
For the Prep kitchen, the construction moved across the street two weeks ago but it's still eating away at the business, which remains off by about 20%.
"With that lane closed, traffic is a killer ... I don't think people are coming to Del Mar for lunch because of that," said Armstrong.
Nearby signs announce the storefronts are open, but any business that depends on foot traffic has been affected. Armstrong has his own message for his customers.
"We're open. We're ready," said Armstrong.
The bulk of the remaining construction will focus on the west side of Camino Del Mar. Fresh blacktop and lane striping will take place in June.
