Downtown Saluda businesses struggle amid prolonged sidewalk construction

SALUDA, S.C. — Downtown Saluda’s sidewalk project, which was slated for completion in early November, has dragged into December, leaving business owners frustrated by reduced foot traffic and lost sales.

“They ask for more business to come in, but yet they cut us at our knees when we come in, so I’m not sure what the end goal is here,” said Dustin Williams, owner of Inspire Saluda.

Williams says months of construction have left his business struggling.

“We’ve been kept in the dark for the most part, and we still don’t know what’s next,” Williams said.

Other businesses, hesitant to speak on camera, have posted signs reminding customers they are still open. They say the blocked sidewalks have deterred foot traffic and led to significant revenue losses.

“We’re limited for parking for one, we’ve only got a few roadside parking areas,” Williams said. “You’ve pretty much eliminated those, and with it roped off, the average customer doesn’t know we’re open or closed, not to mention with that it’s cost us in sales, and for a small business like ours, it’s detrimental.”

Saluda Mayor Miliken Matthews says it’s been a project in the works for years.

“The project had been in talks way back since 2005,” Matthews said. “One of the first things I first did when I became mayor was talk to a consultant about my downtown area, saying ‘Hey, what do we need to do to make it more vibrant?'”

Matthews says unforeseen challenges caused delays.

“We faced old plumbing issues, wastewater issues—some of our infrastructure is not up to speed, and we found very old infrastructure when we we’re there,” Matthews explained.

Matthews said the sidewalk repairs are being completed in sections to keep businesses open during the process.

“It’s going to be a little upsetting in the beginning, like any change does, but we have to start doing projects for our city to grow and thrive. If not, we’re just going to be left behind,” Matthews said.

According to Matthews, the current phase of the project will be completed within four weeks. Work on the opposite side of North Main Street is also scheduled to be finished in the same time frame.