Can we talk about the parking situation for customers on Michigan Ave

I own a grooming shop off Michigan Avenue near West Grand Boulevard. Three years ago when I opened, I could count on at least a handful of street spots right out front. But in the last six months, they put in those new bike lanes and removed about fifteen parking spaces. Now my clients circle the block three or four times before giving up. Last Tuesday alone, I had two people call and cancel because they couldn't find anywhere to park within a ten minute walk. I get that the city wants to make things better for cyclists, but it's hurting small businesses that rely on drive-up traffic. Has anyone else on here seen a drop in foot traffic or appointments after the parking changes in your neighborhood?

2 comments

2 Comments

jaken2319d ago

Is it really that bad though? I mean two people cancelled in one Tuesday, that sounds annoying but not exactly a crisis. Did you actually track your numbers over six months to see if it's a real trend or just a couple of bad days? Could be people adjusting their routes or finding new side streets. Maybe the bike lane brings in more foot traffic from cyclists if you ask me.

cameron_owens4919d ago

Wait you think that's just "two people"?! They run a tight ship with reservations, a Tuesday cancellation from a regular is basically unheard of, and then two in one day? That's wild, man. That's not a coincidence, that's a pattern screaming in your face.