Unforeseen power outage causes problems downtown

Construction crews began repairing a bulkhead on Water Street about two months ago. Since the work began they've been forced to shut off the power on two different occasions. There were no plans to shut it off at around eleven o'clock on Thursday morning, however an accident caused power outages around the area of the construction causing headaches for shoppers and business owners alike. Area employees say they were hoping the nice weather would bring some business into their stores, but without electricity, they were helpless. “We were hoping for a great day today and we can't do anything. There's nothing we can do we don't have any electricity so no scales, no registers, nothing,” said Juliana Jones of Kilwin’s. No power and store closings left many of the folks wandering down Market Street disappointed. Carol Hicks was looking for her birthday lunch. “Everything's closed on this block, we've been to three restaurants. I'm starving it's 2 o'clock.” Jones says construction crews told her the power would return around 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Judging by signs on other businesses she wasn't the only one with that understanding. At the intersection of Market and Front streets, no power meant no lights. Luckily there were no major accidents reported. The construction crew would not comment and city officials did not return our calls.