Midtown Tucson candy shop faces closure due to prolonged bridge construction
A beloved midtown Tucson candy shop is at risk of going out of business as the ongoing closure of the 22nd Street Bridge continues to stifle local commerce. KGUN 9 reports that the shop, a staple of the community for years, has seen a dramatic decrease in foot traffic and sales since the bridge was shut down for major structural repairs. The bridge serves as a critical artery for residents traveling between the eastern and western parts of the city, and its closure has forced commuters to take long detours that bypass the midtown business district. For small specialty retailers like the candy shop, the loss of drive-by visibility and easy access has been devastating, leading to a financial crisis that may soon be terminal.
The owner of the shop expressed deep frustration with the pace of the construction and the lack of support for businesses impacted by the project. While the city of Tucson has emphasized the necessity of the bridge repairs for public safety, the economic fallout for nearby shops was not fully mitigated. Community members have rallied to support the candy store, launching social media campaigns to encourage residents to make the extra effort to visit the shop. However, even with the surge in local support, the overhead costs of maintaining the business without a steady stream of customers are becoming unsustainable. The situation has highlighted the unintended consequences of major infrastructure projects on the small business ecosystem that gives Tucson its unique character.
As the city works toward completing the 22nd Street Bridge project, there are growing calls for the municipal government to provide emergency grants or tax relief to businesses that can prove a direct loss of income due to the construction. Similar programs have been implemented in other cities facing long-term infrastructure delays, and Tucson's business owners believe such measures are necessary to prevent a wave of closures. For now, the midtown candy shop remains open, but its future hangs in the balance. The owner hopes that a combination of holiday sales and a potential acceleration of the construction timeline will allow them to survive until the bridge finally reopens. Until then, the shop serves as a symbol of the resilience and vulnerability of small businesses in the face of urban development.