Construction Cramps Shops

Behind the concrete barriers and relocated traffic of Brattle Street, pedestrians may have noticed a cry for help posted above the green-striped awning of Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe: “CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS NOT PAYING OUR BILLS DURING CONSTRUCTION PLEASE HELP.”

The gourmet sandwich and specialty foods shop, a Harvard Square institution for over 57 years, is located at the intersection of JFK and Brattle Streets. Construction by the city of Cambridge to create a larger crosswalk has obstructed the intersection of JFK Street, Brattle Street, and Mass. Ave. for both pedestrians and cars,

The construction, which began in March and is expected to be completed in the fall of this year, has caused a noticeable decline in patronage, according to several local business owners.

Cardullo’s General Manager Cheryl Welcome was not able to provide numerical figures but did acknowledge that “our store’s business has gone down considerably.” She cited the rerouting of traffic as the main factor.

“The customers we normally would have pass around our store because of the construction,” she said.

Vehicular traffic is also on the decline, due to frequent detours and a message released last week by the Cambridge Department of Public Works advising motorists to avoid Harvard Square entirely during construction.

“If the cars aren’t driving down here, they’re not noticing us,” Welcome said. “They’re not noticing any of the stores.”

Another Harvard Square business going unnoticed and feeling the pinch of construction on their profits is Crimson Corner, a magazine stand adjacent to Cardullo’s. Its owner, Chris Kotelly, echoed Welcome’s claim: “I would say business is off 25 to 30 percent since they started construction,” he said.

Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, said that Cambridge is making an effort to aid ailing businesses during construction. In addition to posting signs encouraging customers to support stores in the area, “the city has really made incredible effort and strides in communicating almost on a daily basis with different businesses,” she said.

While she acknowledged the financial struggles the construction has created, she said that it is necessary to improve the safety of both pedestrians and motorists alike.

But local store owners acknowledged that long-term benefits are difficult for them to look forward to in light of the upcoming summer tourist season.

“It definitely will affect the tourist season and a lot of the summer business,” Kotelly said.

Welcome agreed, “I hate to see what’s going to happen this summer.”

She stressed that the customers ultimately make or break a business—leading Cardullo’s to post its plea.

“It’s only out there to let the public know that their stores that they go to frequently are being affected, and to please make an extra effort to try to get to us,” she said.