Hello All,
so over the last year there has been a large construction project going on behind one of our locations. They have blocked off the street that allows access to our side of the shopping center. Which means you can hardly see our business from the street- unless you enter from the other end and drive through the shopping center.
Now they have started using our parking lot for their cranes and other construction equipment. some days there is no place to park on our side of the shopping center. Which means to visit my own store I have to park on the other end of the shopping center and walk.
this is exacerbated by the fact that our neighbors within the shopping center are also under construction. So we are the only business negatively impacted by the construction.
Sales are down 20%. It is a very clear trend from when they started construction. And to make matters worse- the construction workers are now coming in to use our bathrooms but not purchase anything.
I just received word that they will be using our parking lot for the next 15 days. so basically a giant crane will be taking our side of the parking lot.
Should I be expecting some type of reimbursement? I spoke to our property management company and they said they would not be offering a discount on rent or anything really. I checked our lease and there isn’t anything in there about construction.
FWIW- they do not own the property that it being built on
I just made it through two years of heavy construction at my front door of my retail B&M. It was hell. We barely made it. Lost a good many peers on the block too.
It sucks. And I have had 0 luck getting anything from my city. Not even a sorry.
Consult with an attorney. If it’s viable, see if you can get an emergency injunction issued by the court for the construction co to clear your parking lot so your customers can regain use.
You can also put up signage XXX Company is open for business during construction.
There is nothing you can do. Went through this a couple decades ago. Just have to grin and bare it.
You should not expect any reimbursement… but you sure as hell need to fight for it.
Are you leasing your space, and if so, what does your lease say about construction or interference with business?