It’s been five months since orange barrels took over downtown Sylvania. Now construction is happening as the city welcomes visitors during one of its busiest weeks.
SYLVANIA, Ohio — As construction in downtown Sylvania reaches its fifth month, local business owners are grappling with slower sales and limited parking.
But with the Greater Toledo Classic golf tournament set to bring crowds to the area this weekend, shopkeepers remain hopeful that loyal customers and strategic signage will help them stay afloat.
The ongoing roadwork through downtown Sylvania has made daily operations more challenging for local retailers. Pam Geiger, store manager at Fiddle Stix Boutique & Gallery, said the disruption has affected foot traffic and sales.
“It is a little bit slower, obviously sales are down from last year at this time,” Geiger said. “So, it has affected us, but we’re blessed that it still has been steady.”
Adding to the uncertainty is the Greater Toledo Classic, which kicks off Friday at Highland Meadows. The annual event typically draws a large number of visitors to the area, which would be a boost for businesses under normal conditions. But this year, construction may limit accessibility and visibility for downtown shops.
Despite the potential setbacks, business owners remain optimistic.
“I think maybe there might be a slight decline in customers,” said Kish Chandler from Chandler Cafe. “But hopefully, as our locals, our local patrons, our loyal customers, they’ll let people know that Chandler’s is still open.”
To keep customers informed, many businesses have turned to clear signage and open communication.
“Our sidewalk is open and we do have the two entrances,” Geiger said. “We also have sidewalk signage that we put out each day to let customers know that we are open.”
One of the main challenges remains parking. There are currently no available spaces along Main Street, which could deter some customers.
“With no parking on the street right now, that’s kind of difficult,” Chandler said. “So I expect that to be slower out front, but hopefully they’ll make space out back, or of course, parking anywhere on this strip.”
For those visiting downtown, free parking is available near Summit Street and Richard Becker Place.
As tournament weekend approaches, businesses are urging the community to continue showing support during what has become a particularly demanding summer season.
This article was published by Ryan Luchene on 2025-07-22 17:56:00
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