Dear Editor,

I am the owner of the Sears Home Store on the south side of Hwy 2A. Since the construction on Hwy 2A started, my business has suffered greatly. Directly in front of my store is a one-way street, and without any notice to myself, the construction crews have closed off the intersection from Hwy 2A. Customers are scrambling just to try to get to my store. Wait, here's the kicker, try and leave. At the end of the one-way street, they also have it blocked off.

People are driving the wrong way on the one-way street just trying to get out! These new changes are not safe. It's an accident waiting to happen (even without the road closures).

When you try to explain your frustrations to the city, you are passed off to a voice mail and your call is never returned. What's even worse is having the receptionist tell me that maybe I should think of relocating!

Really?

Is the city going to foot the bill?

With losses upwards of $50,000 since the spring of 2011, that's just not going to happen! As I just lease the building, my opinion doesn't matter.

Do I feel that my business is being pushed out by the city?

Yes, I do.

I value my customers and all they have done for me, but now I must also question their safety as they visit and leave my store. I'm at a loss, and with so many sleepless nights thinking about all these issues I ask myself, 'is it worth it?' Has the city done anything to keep its citizens shopping local?

Is the proximity to Red Deer my challenge alone? I'm spent. I have no advertising dollars left. How many businesses have we seen come and go in Lacombe? Maybe mine will be one more added to that stat!

Come see for yourself, I have a huge parking lot-but you can't park on it!

Jeremy Cowan

Lacombe