Downtown Gardnerville business owners are feeling impacts from ongoing construction

GARDNERVILLE, Nev. (KOLO) – Businesses located near a major road project in Gardnerville are speaking out as they’re losing significant revenue during construction.

In September of 2023, the Nevada Department of Transportation began an extensive construction project on Highway 395 N to include highway drainage, sidewalk, curb & gutter improvements, and utility relocation work. This project will continue through 2024 with the rebuilding and repaving of portions of Highway 395 in downtown Gardnerville.

For the business owners located right on Main Street, they say, they were given only a week’s heads up about this construction that would impact them for at least one year. Heather Leonard, the owner of Brown Bear Designs, proudly states she is bringing new life into vintage furniture.

“They don’t make furniture like this anymore. If we can save it by giving it a little updo, a little zhuzh, that’s what we do,” explains Leonard.

Since construction began last year, Leonard says it scares customers away and has caused her to lose 35% of her typical revenue, putting her into “panic mode.”

“Our community doesn’t want to deal with the construction so they’ve just opted to stay home,” says Leonard.

Directly next store at Luminary Books, owner Marissa Mills explains that the loss of foot traffic has her struggling as well.

“We’re all hurting,” begins Mills.

Mills, is excited to see downtown Gardnerville have new life breathed into it once the construction ends. But until then, she’s asking for help.

“We love our town here. We absolutely love Main Street; we are so proud of Main Street but we need you guys to support us,” said Mills.

Trying to get more people into the store, Mills has been hosting after hours parties.

“Once a month I host a night at Luminary where I theme the store and have exclusive merchandise for that theme,” said Mills.

Mills even set up an online shop to make her entire catalog available to those unwilling to weave through the traffic.

“If you buy from here, as long as you buy from Luminary Books, the books ship right to your house and the money still supports us. It’s a great alternative to Amazon,” Mills said.

Until the construction ends, both women just want the community to know that they’re still here.

“We’ve been here 7 years, and we’d like to make it to 8,” said Leonard.

Copyright 2024 KOLO. All rights reserved.