Business without a bridge!

Just about a month has gone by since local businesses in Spring City and Royersford have had a major change in their business - lack of customers! And this is not due to the economy, but the closing of one bridge. You never know from day to day how business is going to be in this economy, but when you have the "floor" taken out from under you, without much notice - it can hurt the mom and pop businesses tremendously!

Before I get a lot of backlash for voicing my opinion, I will say I agree; the bridge had to be fixed. I have read comments about the closure of the bridge saying it had to be done and for people to stop complaining. I don't think the local businesses are upset that the bridge is being fixed, but I can only speak for myself. I know it had to be done. I lived through the bridge repairs five years ago, when I was just opening my business. I realize it could be hazardous without the repairs.

However, my complaint was the lack of information and timing.  Not only to the local businesses, but to the community in general. 

Businesses were given very little notice. In my business, we have a big month of August planned with customer appreciation month, followed by a huge community yard sale on Labor Day Weekend. If I had known about it a month or even two weeks ahead of time, I would have changed the arrangements we made. However, I already paid for local advertising, I already had flyers made up and had passed them out to customers, etc.

Due to the bridge being closed, we couldn't change that and let customers know that we would be backing up our plans to a later date. Not everyone subscribes to the local paper or reads Patch online. So how could I get the word out? I couldn’t. We had to go forward with our plans.

Our business has been cut approximately 70-percent. We are a business of wants, not needs, so people are not going to drive 15 miles extra to go to an antique shop. 15 miles!

Let’s talk about that now. The detour takes you from Spring City all the way into Pottstown, back to Royersford. Why? When there is a much quicker route by going through Parkersford. I understand people do not want the additional traffic on the side roads. But do you really think people want to travel the extra miles with the price of gas? All people have to do is take 724 to Parkersford, make a right and it takes you right to the Limerick exit of 422. Make another right and it takes you into Royersford! Much quicker, shorter and people would be happier. Didn’t anyone look at the big picture here?

Ok, enough about the detour! Now I have to move on to our “borough officials.” I have owned a business in the Spring City area for six years now. I have never met anyone in person from the borough. No one ever came into my business to inform me of what is going on with the bridge. Never did I receive any notice.

If it weren’t for the word of mouth from other businesses, I would not have been informed until it was printed here or in the local paper. Plus, we are on a state road, so events are not permitted to wrap around the corner and include our business or any of the little businesses in Spring City on Bridge Street. How fair is that? If I would have known, I am sure I would not have rented a place on Bridge Street!

The town of Spring City is not that big. What would it take for our borough officials to type something up and distribute to the local businesses when something like this is happening?  Or to give us “official” progress reports on the bridge. I have heard so many stories about when the bridge would be opened again. Let me think - there was the bridge was going to reopen sometime around Sept. 18.

Then, the school was applying for emergency funding in Harrisburg, so Harrisburg put the pressure on PennDOT and the bridge might be opened by Labor Day. Oh, and there was the story of how PennDOT came in and fired some employees and brought in a special crew to work seven days a week, 16 hours a day to get the bridge finished by Aug. 29. And the offer of bonuses to the workers if they got the bridge finished by Aug. 26.

And the story about how it might be finished this Friday because someone knows someone that is working on the bridge and that’s what he said! Whew! A bit confusing isn’t it, for a business owner? Now could someone please tell me the truth? When is the bridge going to be opened? Wouldn’t it be nice if it were opened by the time this is published?

All I ask for is communication. The people elect these officials. We all tell our children to be open with us and communication is necessary. Yet, we have elected officials that do not follow this golden rule. Please remember this folks when it is time to vote. Not only did this lack of communication effect the businesses, but what about the folks that walk? That take buses? And no, I have not attended meetings, as I do not live in this town and have a full plate of daily things to do, but I am concerned as a business owner. I have owned a business in other towns and had regular communication with the borough.

And - my last thing is – what about our police protection? Did I hear correctly that we no longer have a policeman working at night when most of the crime to local businesses takes place?