Shallotte store owner upset with DOT for construction ruining business

SHALLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — A Shallotte business owner is furious with the DOT after she says construction around her store from the Smith Street Extension Program has killed her customer turnout.

Since the construction started on either side of State Highway 130 that the Beaches Thrift Store in Shallotte, owner Laurie Sweet says business has gone down hill.

“The Smith Street Extension has come in and totally blocked off my business with road closed signs on both sides since July 1st,” said Sweet.

The extension project started in March 2009. However, the construction around Beaches only started a few weeks ago and is already causing a huge headache for Sweet.

“No one is noticing my access and my access has been put in very poorly,” said Sweet. “No stop signs, no yield, no nothing.”

She says her business was out thousands of dollars during the July 4th weekend because of the road problems.

“All the business just bypassed my on the July 4th weekend, which is our largest weekend here,” said Sweet.

Customers say the construction makes it much harder to get to Beaches.

“It takes more gas to get here because you’ve got to go around your elbow to get here and you think twice before you come here now,” said Vicki Worley, a long time customer of Beaches.

Sweet says that she was unaware that the Smith Street Extension Project would affect her business.

“We’re doing the best we can and we’re hoping that the public will raise their hands and help us in any way that they can so that we can be recognized again,” said Sweet.

An engineer from the DOT says Sweet had a chance to learn about the project through public hearings and workshops that were held before the project began.