(WICHITA, Kan.) — “We've been telling our customers to try and avoid us on the opening day, if at all possible,” said Owens. “Just because we don't want them hassled trying to get in and out.”
Some, like The Liquor Warehouse, are still hopeful they'll see at least a little boost from the influx of people.
“We're really hopeful we get more business, that'd be awesome,” said Geist. “It's been kind of slow with the construction, so every little bit would help.”
But Owens disagreed. “In the drycleaning business I don't think that's going to be too much of a spillover.”
Roadwork at the intersection of 21st and Maize Road has narrowed traffic to just one lane in each direction. So Chik-Fil-A has hired off-duty police officers to help direct traffic Thursday, hoping that will ease congestion problems. They also got the construction company to add a specially designated right turn lane along 21st street just for the grand opening. In order to use it, customers will need to come in on 21st street from the west. The turn lane will be next to the storage company.
