Small Business Death Toll Rises From Bridge Closure — Questions Mount Over McKee’s Response

Small Business Death Toll Rises From Bridge Closure — Questions Mount Over McKee’s Response

In recent days, a number of well-known Providence businesses have closed or have announced their imminent closing, citing the loss of business due to the failure of the Washington Bridge.

The Washington Bridge westbound was closed to traffic in early December.

As of last week, in an interview with GoLocal, Governor Dan McKee could not answer the cause of the bridge’s failure, why the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) inspection program failed, and what the cost of the replacement bridge will be. 

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McKee has repeatedly defended RIDOT director Peter Alviti and blasted reporters who asked questions about Alviti's job performance.

When WJAR’s Brian Crandall asked McKee about Alviti’s leadership, Crandall was bullied by the Governor, who refused to answer a question that thousands of Rhode Islanders have asked on social media and hundreds of McKee’s own social media pages. 

This weekend, GoLocal was first to report the closing of two long-standing East Side institutions — the upscale Salted Slate restaurant— which had been located on Wayland Avenue for a decade, and Minerva’s Pizza, the Greek-style eatery that had been an institution for about half a century.

In addition, lifestyle retailer FatFace closed in Wayland Square three weeks ago. It was located across the street and a block down from Salted Slate.

These closures come after other announced closures and cancelations, including a church festival and Rhode Island's marathon.

 

Businesses Owners Cite Impact of the Bridge

The owners of both Salted Slate and Minerva’s cited the loss of revenue from the East Bay and the impact of the chaotic traffic which still impacts the East Side of Providence today. Especially hard hit is the Wayland Square shopping area, which has been slammed by additional traffic from the Henderson Bridge, causing daily traffic snarls.

Kaylin Maloney Habchi, who has owned the Minerva’s for years, told GoLocal Saturday that the bridge closure had a significant impact —  dramatically decreasing the size of the market she served.

One competitive advantage for Minerva’s was that it had its own delivery. It was fast, and the drivers cared about the food.

She said the bridge closure impacted her and her customers because she had built a significant delivery business to the East Bay.

“Especially after COVID, I built my delivery business in the East Bay,” she told GoLocal. 

And, Salted Slate owner and chef Ben Lloyd said his business was down roughly 20% following the closure of the bridge in December.

The popular “farm to table” restaurant had been open for ten years. 

The upscale restaurant was popular with the East Side — as well as East Bay diners, who would need to come over the Washington or Henderson Bridges. 

"They just disappeared," said Lloyd of people coming into Providence. 

Lloyd says he plans to maintain his other business in Wayland Square — Providence Wine Bar — as well as The XO Bar on North Main. 

 

 

McKee’s Response Questioned - Too Little, Too Late

Last week, McKee announced the launch of “a marketing campaign to support businesses most impacted by the Washington Bridge reconstruction.” 

“These iconic and local neighborhood favorites are open for business,” said McKee. “With three lanes of travel now open in both directions on the Washington Bridge, this marketing campaign is a reminder for all Rhode Islanders to support and rally behind these small businesses by shopping, dining, and buying local.” 

“In addition to shopping local, we can all help impacted businesses by working together to reduce the number of accidents on the bridge, which will lessen traffic, improve travel time, and keep everyone safe,” McKee added.

But, the response appears to be too little, too late, and it is questionable if it has any relevance to the issues impacting small businesses.