Some folk say timing is everything. Downtown merchants in Troy are likely to agree these days.

In the middle of what is traditionally the busiest retail season of the year, merchants are struggling to overcome the inconveniences ­ both real and perceived ­ associated with the street improvement and sidewalk repair project under way around the square.

As some merchants said last week, the construction is has impacted access to downtown. But not as much as shoppers might think.

True, the roads are under repair

and detours and street closings are a price of progress. And, at least one public parking lot is inaccessible during this phase of the project.

But, as Scherr Qualls said, merchants are coping by parking off the square and walking to the store, leaving the prime parking spots open for shoppers during the day. And, we would add that any merchants who aren’t following that policy, should start quickly.

And, as downtown merchants are quick to point out, public parking lots are available

at the library, at the Pike County Courthouse, and other nearby areas. Dozens of residents who took part in the successful Promenade Troy America downtown open house during November took advantage of those off-square parking places, with no complaints.

The downtown square and the areas around are accessible for shoppers, and we needn’t let progress deter us from our shopping at home this holiday season.

 

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