Parking, Construction Headaches Still Hamper Cherry Creek North Shopping

DENVER (CBS4) - One of the goals behind the massive amount of construction in Cherry Creek North the past few years has been to make shopping friendlier to pedestrians.

But construction has chewed up sidewalks and turned shoppers away, store owners say, decreasing the foot traffic to their businesses and raising the possibility they may need to shutter their shops for good.

"People have a hard time getting out of Cherry Creek North," business owner Elizabeth Lindsay said.

Construction on new buildings has some sidewalks blocked and streets partially closed in the tony neighborhood south of downtown.

Continued road and sidewalk work comes on top of a road construction project that created traffic nightmares on 1st and University avenues this fall.

"If I don't have the people who love my store shop here, then unfortunately I probably won't be here," Lindsay, the owner of Elizabeth Lindsay Creations, said.

She said sales have been down between 30 percent and 40 percent for the past eight months.

Even the most loyal customers say parking is a nightmare.

To find a place to park, "It would take half an hour circling a neighborhood and a lot of annoyance," one shopper said.

Business leaders are working to remedy that over the holidays. Cherry Creek North is offering two valet parking areas and tokens, and business owners hope free valet and complimentary gift wrapping will help entice their customers to endure the construction issues.

"If they really love our stores, then they have to shop in our stores and show us the love," Lindsay said.