Business owners in downtown Nixa are banding together to try to attract customers they lost due to nearby construction.
Business owners said new activities are being planned for the area.
A playground atmosphere will soon be established.
“Tables and chairs, games for kids,” downtown business owner Ashley Gates tells Ozarks First. “On the weekends, we will have additional things. Bounce houses, pony rides, face painting. During the week, we will have different vendors here. Some food trucks.”
As soon as construction on Route 14 switches to the other lane, business owners said that’s when they’re allowed to set up on Main Street.
They said they hope it will start to draw a much-needed crowd.
“It’s like a ghost town,” said business owner Debbie Moore. “That’s what it’s been like for the last few weeks.”
While business owners said the construction is unfortunate, it’s allowing them to find ways to grow downtown.
“We’re also hoping to try some nightlife down here,” Gates said. “We’ve had a lot of people in our community asking for it. We’re hoping that a few days a week we can test if people will come for that as well. You’ve got food trucks, night lighting and street music.”
Gates said the yard will be open at all times during construction.
(Story by Ashley Eddy, Ozarks First)
