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Vendors say viaduct closure is hurting their businesses

SEATTLE — As Bertha continues to dig beneath the viaduct, it may be burying profits for some local businesses in historic Pioneer Square and at Pike Place Market.

“We had a lot of people cancel with the news of traffic issues and backing up,” said Angela Williams, who was one of the only people in her and her husband's restaurant Al Boccalino Tuesday night.

Williams said times were already tough with tunnel and seawall construction nearby.  However, when the viaduct shut down last week, it made them realize they need to move locations to avoid going under.

“It's kind of the ice water being thrown in your face, telling you: ‘We really need to do something,’” Williams said.

Other Pioneer Square restaurants told KIRO 7 they were not having quite as many issues, but restricted parking along surface streets during the digging is not helping.  No restaurant manager KIRO 7 spoke with Tuesday night said they were seeing an increase in people staying late after work to avoid traffic, as some had hoped before digging began.

Businesses in Pike Place Market are also struggling during the digging.

#PikePlaceMarket vendors say since digging under viaduct started business is way down, locals not "standing by" them very worried about #MothersDay sales

Posted by Henry Rosoff on Tuesday, May 3, 2016

“I've never seen it like this,” said Margaret Dofredo Gabutero, who’s run her family's jewelry shop in the market for the last 16 years.  “So I started walking around and talking to my neighbors, and we're all just in awe.”

She said about 65 percent of her business comes from locals, who are now staying away because of concerns about traffic trouble.  All the merchants KIRO 7 spoke with seem particularly worried about Mother's Day, one of the best business days of the year at Pike Place because people come to get flowers for mom.

Dofredo Gabutero said it’s easier than you might think to get to the market right now, even with the viaduct shut down.  She is urging people to come on down.