'I started panicking': Milwaukee business says sales have been cut in half from construction project

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A local business in Milwaukee is asking for help after they say their sales have dropped by half all because of a new construction project along Forest Home Avenue.

"Our first customer pulled up and backed up and like, where did they go," said Brittany Essig, the co-owner of Rescued Roasters and Knights Gourmet Popcorn. "Then our second customer did the same thing, which was weird."

The owners of Rescued Roasters and Knights Gourmet Popcorn Brittany and Ben Essig thought it was business as usual Saturday, until they noticed multiple customers driving by but not stopping in. That’s when they noticed new "No Parking" signs.

"We rely on street parking, so after I saw the no parking signs, I started panicking because like, I don’t know what is going on," said Ben Essig. "Is this short term or long term?"

Confused, the two reached out to their local Alderman Peter Burgelis, who says both he and the business were not told by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation construction was starting and would impact businesses.

"DOT ran out of gas and forgot about this Milwaukee small business, so now they are trying to catch up," said Ald. Burgelis. "Great that’s fine, but the clock is still ticking. They have bills to pay, employees to pay."

With no parking lot, the business relies on street parking and says their sales have been cut in half since Saturday.

"We do have six employees here that depend on their hours, and we depend on a certain amount of money each day to keep our business running smoothly," said Brittany Essig.

WisDOT says the construction is set to be completed late fall. With traffic cones and "No Parking" signs at their doorstep, the owners worry how long their business will have to take a hit.

Alderman Burgelis says he wants the barrels taken away.

"Technically, the project stops at 45th street," said Ald. Burgelis. "This business is half a block to the east of 45th street. They aren’t going to get new road in front of their business, but the orange cones are blocking off all of their parking."

CBS 58 reached out to WisDOT and they tell us it’s a project that’s been in the making since 2021, and they have now updated their contact list to include Alderman Burgelis.

"The project team continues to work directly with business owners and residents along Forest Home Avenue," said WisDOT Communications Manager, Dan Sellers. "This includes communicating maintained access, exploring possible parking alternatives, and resources for businesses during construction."

Ald. Burgelis says he will keep advocating until WisDOT makes some changes.