This summer's proving to be no picnic for the businesses along the second stretch of reconstruction on State Street - Orem's main north/south artery.
From 1000 South to 100 North this year, the road is being torn up, dug out, relaid and repoured after water and power lines are realigned and new signalization installed at the intersections.It isn't a pretty scene, and for some businesses like Monsen Brothers Video and Appliance, 971 S. State, it's the second year in a row to have to endure the noise, dust and reduced customer traffic.
"We were on the north end of what they did last year. It hurt us by about 15 percent in our volume," said Kent Monsen. "This year, we're on the south end, so we're in the middle of it again. We even had to shut down for three days in June. I think we're down 25 percent for May.
"We have no rear access - like many of the businesses - and so we're just cut off when they're working in front of our place."
At the same time, major competitors are moving in on the electronics business in Orem, said Monsen, while Monsen Brothers is not free to engage in a fair fight for the customer.
"Orem's way over-stored with electronics outlets," said Monsen. "Then the traffic is just terrible and I think the public's tired of it."
Jason Lamb, manager of the Washburn Isuzu/Kia dealerships on State Street, said, "I think people are avoiding State Street as a whole. I get those people dedicated to getting to us but those who shop spontaneously are just not coming here. Our traffic is probably cut in half."
Lamb said because he has a store at 1163 S. State and a second store at 800 North, he's in a better position than most to honestly monitor the situation.
"Our store at 1163 S. State is just at the beginning of the construction so it's not really in the construction per se, but people think we are and so they don't come this way. The store at 800 North is doing better and it has less customer traffic as a rule."
For a car dealership that relies heavily on the "drop-by shopper," it can be a serious problem to be on a road no one wants to drive, said Lamb.
The manager of the Timpanogos Missionary Book Store, Marjorie Larsen, said her sales are "down considerably" and "drive-in customers just aren't coming."
Those that brave the rows of orange barrels and long lines of single car traffic arrive frustrated, said Larsen. "It's going to be terribly hard."
She's working on providing a rear access to the store because in July the western side of State Street directly in front of the book store will be torn up and she's afraid no one will get through.
"Right now, we have an access, but not everyone knows about it. People can turn from Orem Boulevard onto 800 South and come in back of the Monson insurance company through the parking lot and into the bookstore area," said Larsen.
Mi Ranchito, 1109 S. State, is seeing a drastic reduction in lunchtime business.
"Dinner's OK," said Victor Armenta, son of the restaurant's owner. "But it's kind of hurting us. Lunch is just real bad because people can't get in and out again. It takes too much time."
Armenta said, "The sooner we get it finished, the better."
Gwen Pierce, the owner of Bride's World, 571 S. State, said the situation is not as bad as she originally feared it would be, but the road in front of her business was only torn up a week ago.
"In 35 days they told us they would be pouring the cement," said Pierce. "And so far we've done just fine. I really thought it would be a lot worse."
All of the businesses contacted said they would appreciate it if the work could move more quickly.
"I don't understand why they don't work at night," said Jason Lamb. "This is not even a mile, but it's going so slowly."
Before work is finished on the second phase, 240 businesses will have been affected, said Jim Price, chairman of the Orem State Street Business Organization.
Steady rainfall during the first weeks of summer bogged down the work, but Western Quality Concrete - under contract with the Utah Department of Transportation to rebuild the road - still anticipates completion by the Nov. 15 date, said Price.