BARRE, Vt. -
On a sunny, Tuesday afternoon, you can't miss people walking in downtown Montpelier.
People shopped, ate and tried to avoid the large amount of car traffic.
But in nearby Barre, streets are empty, and the sounds of people walking by are replaced with loud construction vehicles.
It's a project some shoppers say isn't a good one.
"I know a lot of people who avoid it like the plague," said Nikki Woodcock.
"It's tough, just because you wait in line waiting for traffic for 10-15 minutes just to get through one light," said Cody Chouinard.
Since April, they've been chopping up Main Street to fix water and sewer lines
And for months, some business owners say they've taken a hit.
"The traffic downtown is definitely slower now than it was," said Nelson Ace Hardware owner Bob Nelson.
"It's a little rough right now," said Next Chapter Bookstore owner Cynthia Duprey.
City leaders concede a number of owners have lost business.
And even though revenue isn't the same, many owners aren't giving up.
"It is a challenge to get down here right now but it's worth it," said Nelson.
There are plenty of deals at each store, and many of them have come together to create giveaways.
Each week, you can win $300 dollars in gift cards, and this weekend someone will win over a $1000 dollars in goods.
And not to mention free parking.
Owners hope incentives like these will lure shoppers and get them through the rest of a murky summer.
"This is really a short amount time for what the end result will be," said Duprey.
The Main Street project is scheduled to go on until mid-October.
Information on Main Street promotions:
http://www.wedigbarre.com/
