CONSTRUCTION ON THE Highway 502 widening project has wreaked havoc on the businesses along the route from Battle Ground to I-5, including those near Dollars Corner.
JULIE’S COTTAGE KITCHEN has been in this location near Dollar’s Corner for 21 years. Owner Julie Riggins said her revenue is down about 40 percent on weekdays due to construction on the Highway 5-2 widening project.
BATTLE GROUND – Tina Rodriguez has a front row seat to what area motorists have experienced over the past year traveling to and from Battle Ground on Highway 502.
“I wish people would come into our market but they are avoiding me like the plague because they are sitting there 15-20 minutes in traffic,’’ said Rodriquez, owner of Sonrise Market, referring to the construction taking place on the Highway 502 widening project.
In October of last year, Rodriguez assumed ownership of Sonrise Market, located at 6711 NE 219th St. During the winter months, she said her market averaged about 40-50 customers a day and as much as $400-500 in revenue each weekday. On the weekends, her revenue would go as high as $700.
Since crews resumed construction earlier this spring, Rodriguez said Sonrise Market attracts between 20-25 customers each day and revenue varies between $100-300 a day.
“It’s been hard, but I know it’s going to get better,’’ Rodriguez said. “The project is going to be a good thing. I know I’m still in the crunch of it, but overall, I think it’s going to be OK.’’
Phase 1 of the widening project began in July of 2012. During summer months in recent years, construction would pick up and then quiet back down during winter months. According to Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), construction is supposed to completed in 2016. Rodriguez said she has been told that relief is in sight.
“Both WSDOT and Rotschy, INC. (the project contractor) have been really good at communicating with me,’’ Rodriguez said. “They’ve told me they are about a year ahead of schedule and that they should be done by mid-October. They have some little things to do during the winter and then some stuff to plant next spring.’’
That will be a welcome day for Rodriguez, who recently made some changes at Sonrise Market she believes will attract customers.
“We’ve put in a deli,’’ she said. “We do sandwiches, homemade salads, tacos, burritos, all sorts of deli-type items including breakfast in the morning,’’ Rodriguez said. “I am working on a drive thru (window). The state told me it will go through. I just have to finish jumping through some hoops.’’
Rodriguez said she has seating for 10-20 customers at the restaurant, three tables outside and two tables inside. The market also continues to offer ice cream, raw milk and produce items as well.
“We’re just like a little country store,’’ said Rodriguez, whose business can be reached at (360) 687-8998.
Sonrise Market is open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays. It will now be closed on Sundays.
Julie’s Cottage Kitchen
Around the corner from Sonrise Market at Dollars Corner, Julie’s Cottage Kitchen has also experienced hardship due to the widening project.
“It’s been terrible,’’ said Julie Riggins, who has owned the popular eatery for 21 years at 21708 NE 72nd Ave. “The first day they got started, they hit a gas line and had to evacuate the building so we were shut down for a whole day.’’
The four-way intersection at Dollars Corner has been a bottleneck for motorists this summer. Located just south of the intersection, Julie’s Cottage Kitchen has also had construction impact the entryways to the restaurant.
“We are probably down about 40 percent during the week,’’ Riggins said. “It’s just been on the weekdays that it has affected us the most. On the weekends, we are staying about the same because people can get through.’’
Riggins said there is no recourse for businesses to reclaim any lost revenue during the project.
“I have to make sure everybody gets a paycheck so we’re hoping and praying that we’re going to bring in enough revenue every two weeks to make payroll,’’ she said. “I’ve got to say it’s been better than I thought it was going to be. I thought we were going to have to close the doors but we do get some people in here.’’
Riggins said all of the businesses at Dollars Corner have suffered.
Korner Kuts Barber Shop
The news at Korner Kuts Barber Shop is very similar to that of other business owners around Dollars Corner.
Owner Susan Wodaege said last year was bad and this year is worse.
“This is our second season of construction,’’ Wodaege said. “Last year, I would say it wasn’t bad at first, but then we got slower and slower as the summer went on. People would just stop driving down 219th Street. Last summer, I was about down about 25 percent of what i would normally have made. This summer is much worse. I’m down about 50 percent.’’
Wodaege is thankful that Korner Kuts has a long history in the area. Her mother, Helen Swayze, originally owned the business and then Wodage joined her mother before taking over completely last year.
“The barber shop has been in business since the 1970s,’’ she said. “We’ve had some customers for 20-plus years. We will be OK. It’s a lot tougher on the people trying to start a new business.’’
Korner Kuts is located at 7702 NE 219th Street and can be reached at (360) 687-7312. Susan and fellow barbers Marty Brusco and Jolene Wright share the shop, which is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri. and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays. The three barbers have more than 50 years combined experience.
“We’re not beauticians; 99.9 percent of our customers are men,’’ Wodaege said. “We specialize in clipper cuts, the old-fashioned way. People can’t seem to use clippers these days without a guard. We are all very skilled barbers. We’re very high on customer service.’’
Julie’s Cottage Kitchen is open 6 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays through Tuesdays and from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays. The restaurant can be reached at (360) 687-7945.
