Calgary local business attributes continued construction for causing its closure
In the heart of Calgary's Marda Loop, the ongoing construction of the Marda Loop Main Streets project has taken a toll on small businesses, with the recent closure of Doodle Dogs serving as a poignant reminder of its impact.
Doodle Dogs, a pet store that has been a staple in the community since its opening in December 2023, has had to shut its doors due to the prolonged delays and restricted customer access caused by the construction. The owner, Meghan Huchkowski, shares the sentiment that it is financially more viable for the store to pay rent and close, rather than to remain operational under the current conditions.
The Marda Loop Main Streets project, initially planned to be completed by the summer of 2024, has now persisted more than a year past its originally promised completion date. The project aims to upgrade infrastructure along 33rd and 34th Avenues S.W., creating improved public spaces, bike lanes, and pedestrian areas. However, the delays have caused widespread disruption to local commerce, with businesses reporting a loss of up to 50% of customers and severe revenue declines.
The construction has led to frustration among retailers, some of whom are part of a $75 million class-action lawsuit against the City of Calgary, alleging negligence in handling the project and its impacts on business viability. Though the city introduced a grant program offering $5,000 to affected businesses, many consider this insufficient compensation for prolonged losses.
Local pet owner Logan McEachern stopped by Doodle Dogs to pick up food for his dog Zoey and bid farewell to the owners. McEachern expressed sadness about the closure and hoped that the long-term construction would benefit the community as a whole.
Meghan Huchkowski, along with her brother, still have three other Doodle Dogs locations around Calgary and an online store. Huchkowski stated that for three full days, a construction flagger forbade customers from accessing the front entrance to Doodal Dogs. She described feeling impatient and then going into "mama-bear mode" due to the problems created by the construction.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek is scheduled to meet with the owners of Doodle Dogs late Wednesday afternoon. Huchkowski remains doubtful that the mayor will be able to change her mind about closing the Marda Loop store. Other businesses in the area are considering joining the class action lawsuit due to financial losses caused by the construction.
The Marda Loop Main Streets project's delays and the resulting financial troubles for businesses have been the subject of several related news articles, including discussions about a potential $5K business grant for construction-ridden businesses, a water main break, a petition to save trees, and the approval of zoning for tower development.
As the construction continues, the community waits to see how these events will unfold and what the future holds for the businesses in Marda Loop.
- The prolonged delays and restricted access caused by the Marda Loop Main Streets project have resulted in financial struggles for small businesses like Doodle Dogs, leading to their closure.
- The ongoing construction and delays in the Marda Loop Main Streets project, as well as the financial impact on local businesses, have become major points of discussion in both general news and political discourse.
