East St. Cloud Businesses in “Survival Mode” as Multiple Construction Projects Wreak Havoc on Foot Traffic, Sales

(KNSI) — Massive road projects in East St. Cloud are taking their toll on local businesses.

Highway 10 and Highway 23 are both being reconstructed and at the same time, there is extensive work being done on East St. Germain Street, Lincoln Avenue and Wilson Avenue.

Copper Kitchen owner Maddie Waseka told KNSI News she noticed a slow drop in business in May when orange cones arrived. “It didn’t start off as bad as we first expected; we still had a decent amount of sales. But now getting into the depths of it, it’s really starting to take a pretty decent chunk out of our sales and our attendance at the restaurant.”

Waseka is worried about not just her business but others in the neighborhood as well. “There are so many people and so many restaurants that have been fixtures of the east side of St. Cloud that are desperate. I would just like to see more people coming out, even though it’s kind of a hassle to get to that side of town.”

She says her biggest concern is for her servers, who depend on customers’ tips to make ends meet.

St. Cloud Councilmember Karen Larson, who represents the east side, chimed in with her concerns adding, “Local businesses are suffering because people choose, understandably, not to weave and navigate their way through multiple projects at the same time. But, we are at a point that some employees and businesses on the east side fear for their jobs.”

She says businesses trying to grow are now essentially in survival mode. Larson told KNSI the best thing people can do to help is show up with your wallet. “If you can take a few minutes, and be brave, and get through the detours, if you would please come to the east side for your coffee, your breakfast, your lunch, your dinner, your groceries, your hardware, and help support these businesses through this tough time. We would really appreciate it.”

Other stores experiencing a downward trend in business include Caribou Coffee, Cash Wise, Handyman’s Hardware, and Runnings.

Work on East St. Germain, Lincoln Avenue and Wilson Avenue should finish this fall. Construction on Highway 10 and 23 is expected to last until late 2024.

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