Mount Dora Restaurants Report Lost Sales During Old U.S. 441 Roundabout Work
Restaurants near the Old U.S. 441 roundabout work say reduced access is hurting sales. The project is expected to continue into next summer.
A Lake County roundabout project has closed a section of Old U.S. 441 near Mount Dora restaurants. Owners say reduced access is affecting sales and staffing.
The county project is intended to improve road safety, while the long construction period is placing pressure on nearby small businesses.
Customers, restaurant workers, owners and drivers using Old U.S. 441 are affected.
Restaurant owners report reduced hours and staffing. Additional traffic changes are expected in January; a current access route has not been independently verified.
Further traffic changes are expected in January, and construction is expected to continue into next summer. Customers should check directly with nearby businesses for current hours and access while the county updates its project notices.
What Happened
Construction of a Lake County roundabout has closed a section of Old U.S. Highway 441 near Mount Dora restaurants. Owners of Magical Meat Boutique and Dora Cafe say the change has made it harder for customers to reach them.
Why It Matters
The roundabout is intended to improve safety at an intersection with a history of crashes. During construction, reduced access can also affect businesses that rely on passing traffic and easy-to-find entrances.
Who It Affects
Magical Meat Boutique’s owners reported a 42% sales decline since work began, shorter hours and two part-time layoffs. Dora Cafe’s owner also reported slower business and adjusted hours. These are the owners’ accounts, reported by News 6; the sales figure has not been independently audited by LCN. Customers and employees are affected as well.
What Changes
More traffic changes are expected in January, and the project is expected to continue into next summer. The owners said they asked county commissioners for help and were told that signs directing drivers to open businesses were planned. A current, verified access route was not available for this report.
What’s Next
Drivers can expect further traffic changes as construction advances. Nearby restaurants remain open on schedules that may change during the work, so customers should check with each business before visiting. The county’s project notices will determine when access changes and when the roundabout is completed.
Source: News 6 interviews with the restaurant owners, September 23.
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