Construction is running some owners out of off business in the soon to be renovated Arts District near Downtown Las Vegas.
"If there is no traffic nobody is going to survive this," said Mariam Habashi owner of Cleopatra's Treasures on Main Street.
Habashi started her business at just 20 years old. Five years later she is living her American Dream, she just became a citizens after coming to the country as a Egyptian refugee with her parents, has been running her own business for 5 years and is currently studying at UNLV.
But she now fears everything she built will be taken away.
Since construction started on Main Street the sales at Cleopatra's Treasures have dipped by 50 percent and Habashi hasn't been able to make rent.
She was given an eviction notice to pay up or get out by February 19.
Other store owners are feeling the same frustration of low sales and no customers.
"You've got to hear your customers say I went around the block three times before I could figure out where to park," said antique store owner Cherron Pierre.
Right now, Main Street, the main artery down the Arts District, is shut down to one lane one way. Construction began last March and is schedule for another year.
But construction is nothing new and the Nevada Small Business Development Center has the following tips for small businesses who are struggling during redevelopment.
- Prepare ahead of time for construction
- Build a base of loyal customers
- Increase product offering to match competitors
- If you run into issues, reach out to customers through crowdfunding websites
Habashi has started a GoFundMe for Cleopatra's Treasures.
