Businesses impacted by Highway 24 closures
Businesses along Highway 24 have felt the impact of the weather-related road closures.
The Colorado Department of Transportation closes part of the highway when there is a threat of flash floods. The closures often leave a long line of cars waiting for its reopening.
This weekend, the long traffic lines boosted business at Crystola Bar & Grill.
“This highway was a parking lot, (from) all the people coming back down from the mountains,” owner Brian Sherman said. “And we were just overrun. We had one of our busier days of the year.”
Sherman said his business has been hurt by flooding in the past. The highway closures have at times resulted in canceled shows. At other times, the bar and grill has had to close early. He said the timing of the highway closure is everything.
“If it’s at the right time, it’s going to help us,” he said. “If it’s at the wrong time, it’s going to hurt us.”
In Cascade, Pikes Peak Rocks Gift Shop also saw a positive effect of the closure.
“I must say, we had a very good weekend,” manager Frances Mccardie said. “Saturday, when (drivers) were stopped and lined up here for a couple hours, some would get out. They’d come in, use the restroom and find a rock or two or something.”
But not everyone saw the same results. The owner of The Wines of Colorado said he has been hurt by the highway roadblocks.
“Yeah, we are picking up some business from people that are stranded, but it doesn’t make up for all the business that we’ve lost,” Marvin Parliament said.
