Ios Pizza pulled the last pie from its oven this week.
The King street pizza shop has shut its doors and owner, Jeff Killam puts the blame squarely on the Town of Bridgewater.
Killam has owned the business for just over a year.
He says business was good until the construction started on King Street.
“Before this construction started the business was doing fine – it was thriving. And the town just doesn’t want to do nothing to help any of the businesses.”
Killam says access to his shop has been blocked and his customers have no where to park.
“Construction is the only reason the store is closed. I’ve lost over 65% of my business because of the King Streeet construction.”
Killam says he couldn’t get anyone from the town to listen to his concerns.
He says he’s not sure how he is going to pay his bills and may look into legal action against the town.
Meanwhile,
Bridgewater Mayor David Walker says the town has worked closely with businesses on King Street throughout the construction.
“My understanding, efforts were made to keep the merchants downtown informed of what was happening. I guess I’m kind of surprised that he would say there was no communication.”
Walker says the town has spent money to promote the King Street merchants and have offered free parking to attract people downtown.
He says he was hoping Ios Pizza would’ve been a part of the new look King Street.
“Disappointed he feels he must close the business. It’s really unfortunate. We certainly would hope that he would be part of the revitalized King Street.”
Walker says the construction project should wrap up by the end of October when shops will again have full access and free parking, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.
