Overland Park, Kan. – The owners of Brew Lab and the Italian Bistrot of Viona in downtown Overland Park claim that their company has decreased by around 40 to 45% since the construction of the new farmer market in the city closed Marty Street six weeks ago.
Marty Street, where companies and their parking are located, is closed to traffic and the sidewalk which takes place along the street and connects companies to other parts of downtown Overland Park.
John Batten / KSHB
“The construction saying that the roads are closed, most customers think that (the Italian bistro of Viona) is closed and they cannot go,” said Benny Morina, owner of Viona.
Josh Turpin, Brew Lab co -owner, feels the same impact.
“We are potentially talking about cutting quarters, to remove our lunch because lunches are dead here,” said Turpin.
Overland Park city center companies speak the impact of the construction of the farmers market
According to the city, the Clock tower landing projectWho includes the new Overland Park producer market is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
“We realize what the end game will be and we think that once this producer market is finished, it will be fabulous for our business,” said Turpin. “We just hope we can do it for so long.”
City staff told KSHB 41 news that they knew the concerns of business owners along rue Marty. The city says that it recognizes the closure of rue Marty affects street companies “considerably”.
The city says that it has met with business owners concerned and has taken measures to reduce the impact. The City says that these measures include: decals on the sidewalks near the temporary location of the Matt Ross Community Center producer market pointing to other companies in the region, additional panels on local businesses and information on the place to find parking.
Turpin says that business is still down.
“We are literally cut off from everyone,” he said. “There is no, I mean zero, pedestrian traffic now.”
John Batten / KSHB
Turpin and Morina say that it is the unique positioning of their companies along the construction site that has an impact on them.
“Many other companies still have access to the road,” said Turpin.
Morina said the construction project “took us completely sandwich”.
City of Overland Park spokesperson Meg Ralph said that the reopening of Marty Street is expected to be in the first half of 2026, but that the exact timing is uncertain. It depends on the rhythm of the construction, which depends on the weather, according to Ralph.
“I know it’s exciting and it’s going to be great for everyone once it’s done, but it’s a whole project, it will take a year for it to be done,” said Morina.
Turpin and Morina say that the problems that their companies confronted with them the impact that the COVVI-19 pandemic has had on their restaurants.
“At this point, we debate on what we can do as a business to try to be agile and survive, because that’s what it is, it’s a survival game for us,” said Turpin.
–
Journalist KSHB 41 Lily O’Shea Becker covers the counties of Franklin and Douglas in Kansas. Share your history idea with Lily.