MINNEAPOLIS — As construction crews move earth and excavate passageways important to dozens of Uptown businesses, Bobby Bee’s owner Robert Sorenson looks through all the machinery, dirt and dust. .
“I’ve never really experienced a reconstruction project this intense,” Sorenson said.
Thankfully, the impact of construction on his business hasn’t been as bad as he previously feared. Construction has begun.
“We’re feeling pretty good. We’ve had more business than we expected,” Sorenson said.
The impact varies from day to day and also depends on the weather.
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One thing is for sure: customers are starting to come on board.
“I’ve heard of customers having to walk five blocks to get here,” Sorenson said.
Next door at La Bodega Taco Bar, it’s a different story.
Owner Alex Rosario said sales are half what they were before construction. It also doesn’t help if the delivery driver cancels because they find it difficult to get through construction to get to the restaurant.
“This is not the way to stimulate business uptown,” Rosario said.
Meanwhile, at Uncommon Grounds Coffee House, owner Dale Lee said business is fairly stable.
“Our hours change when people come in, but for us, they haven’t changed much,” Lee said.
Lee believes all this construction disruption is short-term pain with long-term benefits for a region trying to get back on its feet.
“I think the whole area is going to be very sleek and modern, and I think it’s going to enhance all the properties and make them better,” Lee said.
This is just the beginning stage of the project. Once this section is complete, construction will begin in 2025 on the north side of Hennepin Avenue between 26th Street and Douglas Avenue.
