If a landlord makes a decision that is bad for its tenants’ businesses, it’s not really the fault of government – unless the bad decision was made in cooperation with the TDA so the landlord could become eligible for a number of North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grants. Business owners on Fry Street in downtown Bryson City are suffering significant loss of business following the road’s temporary closure, which just happened to coincide with retailers’ busiest season. The good intention was to create a pedestrian-friendly plaza for the owner of the buildings and street, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, but merchants aren’t seeing that. Instead, at least one or them, Paige Christie, owner of The Cottage Craftsman, is thinking her business won’t live to see 2016.
by Leslee Kulba
Wild West blogger