Employees Share Mixed Feelings on How Bridge Closure Will Affect Business

Will the recent affect businesses in Island Park?

One local manager says yes, while one restaurant owner thinks it's only a minor inconvenience. 

"The only negative thing, so far, is I had to spend two hours on the phone last Saturday giving directions," said Sean Smith, owner of the . 

"On Saturday evening, the phone rang off the hook. People not from the area were confused on how to get here." 

Many of the callers were customers participating in , Smith said. 

Despite the phone calls, Smith says he doesn't think the bridge closure will impact business. 

"I don't think it will (impact business)," he said.

The 15 Point Road restaurant is located just before the turn to the bridge along Point Road. With the bridge closed, patrons now need to detour down Boyd's Lane to Park Avenue, or Park Avenue off East Main Road, to reach the restaurant. 

Another local business manager disagrees with Smith's opinion, saying the bridge closure will impact operations. 

"It's hard to tell yet, but I'm sure it (the closing) will," said manager Donna Iafrate.

"I have customers from Tiverton that say they don't come here because it's inconvenient. It's too far for them. We're at the end of the path now." 

"I had a customer who said it was another eight-minute drive for them ... There were a few other customers who say it's inconvenient because they can't easily access Route 24. Now, I'm cut off from my own town." 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) shut down  on Nov. 3 due to "significant deterioration" found in a recent study. The bridge is expected to be closed until late spring.