Longtime Avon Lake Businesses Feeling the Pinch from Walker Road Construction

As Walker Road construction continues, businesses west of the Walker and Moore roads intersection are feeling the effects of having storefronts that are hard to get to.

Walker Road immediately west of Moore Road closed on April 4 and is scheduled to remain under construction through June 24 for the removal and replacement of the Powdermaker Ditch culvert.  

While it’s primarily business as usual for companies not driven by foot traffic, such as PolyOne’s Avon Lake plant, businesses that count on foot traffic, such as and are seeing significantly less traffic, as marked detours are sending traffic south on Moore Road and through Avon.

“(Walker) was supposed to open to one lane traffic but it hasn’t yet,” Dairy Queen owner Tracy Rafter said.

She said she’s seen a marked decrease in business, especially after a detour sending drivers north on Moore Road was removed and the detour guides drivers away from the city.

“We’re hoping to make it through this,” Rafter said. Mother’s Day ice cream cakes have always been a big selling and she is hoping customers remember to place and order.

Just down the road, past a sign notifying drivers the intersection ahead is closed, Lenny’s Deli, another Avon Lake mainstay, is reminding customers that it is open for business. Ruth Santiago, who runs the deli with her husband Jamie.

“We’re open during construction,” she said. “We have great sandwiches, soups, come on in.”

Manager Joe Reitz, who is overseeing the construction, understands the affect the work is having on businesses.

“These businesses need and appreciate your willingness to take the minimal additional amount of time to follow the detours and keep them busy during construction,” Reitz said. “The city thanks everyone for their patience and the west side businesses are still open for customers.”

Businesses on Walker Road west of the intersection can be accessed head south on Moore Road through Avon or north on Moore and west on Lake Road.

If you're looking for another reason to travel to that part of the city, here's another: Several businesses are locations for the clues in the city's .