Concern Mounts for Glen Rock Biz Owners Over Downtown Construction

With holidays upcoming, business should be booming this time of year at unique lighting/shades store . The merchants however are concerned a NJ Transit construction project could result in tremendous loss of business, at a time many small businesses are just scraping by.

"We're hoping it doesn't affect us too badly," said Tara Diamond Kule, who runs the store with her husband Bryan and his old college roommate, Sam. "We're very nervous though, it's scary."

Work to and construction is expected to last two weeks. With many older customers drawn from all over the area, Shades of Soho has already heard stories from customers confused by the detours.

"It's more likely for our customers to get lost," Tara said. "Most don't have cell phone or a GPS."

While some have said "it's just two weeks," that's the wrong way to look at the situation, the Kule's contend. The rent is still due, vendors need to be paid and orders filled. Losing dozens of customers over a two week period could seriously hurt the bottom line, Bryan said.

"It's the fear of the unknown," Bryan, who's worked in the business for 20 years, said. "Losing a chance is losing a customer."

"It's definitely been a big drop off, it's been a big concern," said Tom Gianella, who co-owns Gianella Deli in Glen Rock with his family. "Hopefully it will be done quick."

It's particularly challenging for Gianella's since August is a slow month with many vacationing, he added.

To guard against potential loss of business, Shades of Soho is offering a 15 percent discount to anything in the store while construction remains ongoing. Gianella's might be offering specials as well in the upcoming days, Tom Gianella said.

Though construction cuts off traffic from Rock Rd. and Doremus into the downtown, the CVS shopping center is open for vehicular traffic.

Shades of Soho is located at 175 Rock Rd. They can be reached at 201-857-2266. Gianella Deli is next door and they can be reached at 201-445-4272.