Eglinton Ave. shop owner Connie Gougos is bracing — with trepidation — for the disruption, traffic congestion and chaos to come once construction starts on the Eglinton-Crosstown LRT line.
Like many businesses along the Eglinton Way — a stretch of mostly mom-and-pop shops located between Chaplin Cres. And Avenue Rd. — the owner of the Petite Alternative women’s store has had enough of a challenge in recent years dealing with red tape, high business taxes, over-the-top rents and rabid parking control officers (the latter being my words, not hers).
Despite assurances from the TTC’s Blue Suits, Gougos is not convinced they have learned their lessons from the 6.7-kilometre St. Clair dedicated streetcar line fiasco.
“They haven’t really proven since then that they can do a better job,” she told me recently, noting most businesses in the neighbourhood are “skeptical” that the TTC can deliver the job on time, on budget and with minimal disruption.
“Businesses are going to die for at least three years,” predicts Anthony Mitsouras, who owns a local coffee shop with his wife.
more good news
Businesses fear looming LRT chaos | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
Like many businesses along the Eglinton Way — a stretch of mostly mom-and-pop shops located between Chaplin Cres. And Avenue Rd. — the owner of the Petite Alternative women’s store has had enough of a challenge in recent years dealing with red tape, high business taxes, over-the-top rents and rabid parking control officers (the latter being my words, not hers).
Despite assurances from the TTC’s Blue Suits, Gougos is not convinced they have learned their lessons from the 6.7-kilometre St. Clair dedicated streetcar line fiasco.
“They haven’t really proven since then that they can do a better job,” she told me recently, noting most businesses in the neighbourhood are “skeptical” that the TTC can deliver the job on time, on budget and with minimal disruption.
“Businesses are going to die for at least three years,” predicts Anthony Mitsouras, who owns a local coffee shop with his wife.
more good news
Businesses fear looming LRT chaos | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun
