We’ve only gotten half the business we had before the construction started up, said Domenica Rodriguez, a waitress at The French Pastry Café. The restaurant, located at 5550 La Jolla Blvd., is said to be “unlucky” because it is located on what some Bird Rock business owners call the “bad side” of the street.
“Just the regulars come in because they live around here,” Rodriguez said, looking at the surrounding neighborhood and pointing to the street riddled with construction, confusion and traffic.
But on the other side of the street, where the construction has rerouted vehicles, some business owners said the slow traffic has actually been a blessing.
While the west side of the boulevard remains blocked off for the construction of roundabouts and other street improvements, the east side is filled with rerouted traffic that must slow down, giving those business owners more advertising time.
Some of these businesses report an increase in their walk-in traffic and revenue.
San Diego Prestige Exotic & Luxury Transportation Rentals, located on the east side of La Jolla Boulevard, has experienced the increase.
“Because they are driving super-slow, we have had more business,” said Franck Danglard, CEO of San Diego Prestige. “But it could just be a coincidence.”
Although the high-end car and yacht rental company has seen a bump in its walk-in traffic, Danglard’s concern is that the increase may cease when the construction moves to the other side.
“If you’re on the good side, it’s good for you,” he said.
While businesses such as the Julian Bakery, a wholesale bakery, report that their customer base remains constant, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters’ Chuck Patton said the amount of traffic depends on where the construction is in comparison to the business.
The block on which Bird Rock Coffee Roasters is located has not taken a hit yet, Patton said.
All Bird Rock businesses are waiting to see whether they will get a reprieve from the construction for about two weeks in December when a proposed construction moratorium will ensue.
It was supposed to happen Dec. 17, but that would be senseless because the businesses need the moratorium for their Christmas sales and that date would put it past Christmas, Patton said.
According to Patton, the moratorium was supposed to move to Dec. 7, when the construction company promised to clean its gear and clear out so businesses could cater to the clients for the holiday season.
Because of last week’s wildfires, the Bird Rock Community Council wasn’t able to vote on the exact time for the moratorium. But the latest proposal would begin the moratorium on Dec. 14, and then continue through Jan. 2, 2008, said BRCC member George Sutton.
“I’m all for the moratorium,” Patton said. “People who own businesses around here need the moratorium.”
For information, visit the BRCC website, www.birdrock.org.