Latest news with #revitalization
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
The Market Square revitalization project is underway, but some businesses are unhappy
If you've been around Market Square over the past couple of months, you certainly have noticed the noise. The revitalization project is in full swing, but it's not making all the shops happy. Are those construction sounds that people hear good? It depends on who you ask. "Eh – it's so-so," Talib Hussein, owner of Cherries Diner, said. "This construction is killing us down here," Joseph Parsons, General Manager at Whiskey B's, said. Parsons thinks it's a net negative. "We're gonna be down $100,000 in sales in two months," he said. "We're on track to lose $400,000, $500,000 dollars – just this year." The lack of people filling the stools means payroll cuts, too. "I actually had to let go of my number one cook two days ago," Parsons said. Whiskey B's side of the square hasn't even had traffic cut off yet. Over at Cherries Diner, it hasn't been uniform. "Come up-down, up-down," Hussein said. Around the corner at Nicholas Coffee and Tea? It hasn't been all that bad. "They've been a little bit down – but nothing really to be upset about or be concerned about right now," Kathy Marsico, Operations Director at Nicholas Coffee and Tea Company, said. Marsico says their business model helps. "Our sole income is not dependent on walk-in traffic," she said. She says there aren't any battles brewing with the construction guys either -- that they've been cooperative. "They've made some changes for us when we asked for it," Marsico said. "As long as it doesn't impede their operations, they've been great with us." Marsico also has good words for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. "They've been very open with email communication as well as coming in and just checking in to see how we're doing," she said. Over at Whiskey B's, Parsons says he's not getting that communication. "Not one time has anybody come in here and asked me anything about anything," he said. "Period – that's what it is." All this work is to welcome people for next year's NFL Draft. "If we can get to April – we'll be fine… but the concern is getting to April," Parsons said. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership did respond to KDKA-TV's request for comment.
Arabian Business
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
Renault boss Luca de Meo chosen by Kering to turn around their fortunes
Luca de Meo turned around the fortunes of carmaker Renault. He will now have to bring that acumen to selling handbags and high fashion. The 58-year-old Italian has been handpicked by François-Henri Pinault to revitalise brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, and restore his company Kering to its former glory. Pinault took over as Kering's (then called Pinault-Printemps-Redoute) Chairman and CEO in 2005 and turned the company into a focused luxury operation from a retail conglomerate. However, from its position as the most eminent fashion brand in the world, Kering has slipped behind competitors like LVMH and Hermès. Gucci, Kering's flagship brand, has experienced six consecutive quarters of decline. Pinault had been advocating splitting his role for some time now, and that has finally happened. The Frenchman will continue to chairman of the board. De Meo's appointment will have to be approved by during the Shareholder Meeting on September 9. He is expected to take office on September 15. Share prices of Renault have dropped nearly 9 per cent from EUR42.99 (US$49.46) to EUR38.99 since the news of de Meo leaving the company broke on Monday. On the other hand, Kering stock prices have risen from EUR172.14 to EUR185, a jump of nearly 7.5 per cent. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pinault and his family hold a 42 per cent shareholding and about 60 per cent of the company's voting rights. The holding accounts for the bulk of the family's fortune, estimated at just under US$20 billion. In a statement, Pinault said: 'After twenty years of transforming Kering into a major global luxury player, the group is ready for a new stage in its development. 'From 2023, I launched a reflection on the evolution of the group's governance. It was in this context that I met Luca de Meo. His experience at the helm of an international listed group, his sharp understanding of brands, and his sense of a strong and respectful corporate culture convinced me that he is the leader I was looking for to bring a new vision and steer this chapter in our group's history. 'It is with complete confidence that I am handing over the leadership of Kering and our teams to Luca.' Renault's remarkable financial recovery The Milan-born de Meo has 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, beginning his career at Renault in 1992, followed by a stint at Toyota Europe and a long tenure at the Fiat Group. In 2009, he joined the Volkswagen Group as Group and Volkswagen Brand Marketing Director. Since July 2020, de Meo has been the CEO of the Renault Group. In 2020, Renault was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as almost every other business was, and reported losses of EUR8,046 million (US$9,259 million). From there, de Meo managed to engineer a turnaround and in February 2025, he announced the best profits in the group's history. The group posted a record operating profit in absolute value at €4,263 million (US$4,903.5 million), which represented 7.6 per cent of revenue. On his move to Kering, de Meo said: 'I would like to thank François-Henri Pinault and the Board of Directors for choosing me to lead Kering into this new phase of development. 'I am approaching this new professional challenge with enthusiasm, eagerness, and confidence, inspired by the strength of the group's brands and the expertise of its people. I am convinced that together we will continue to make Kering an essential player in the luxury industry.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pool focus of phase two in East Palestine park construction
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) – There's been a lot done at East Palestine Village Park over the last couple of months. New pickleball, tennis and basketball courts are nearly finished, and work started this week to remove fencing around older courts. 'The beginning of Phase Two, which is the pool construction and pool building assembly — that will run through the end of the year, said Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy. Diaz-Guy said the pool will eventually be relocated to a spot adjacent to the community building. The 85-year-old facility was not opened this summer because of a broken heater, but that didn't stop some in the community from wondering if the $25 million revitalization project was simply being abandoned by Norfolk Southern. The railroad had agreed to underwrite the work following the 2023 train derailment. 'Some of the concerns come from rumors that nothing is happening in the park. These projects take time,' Diaz-Guy said. Diaz-Guy also admits the project has had to overcome some delays impacting supplies and materials needed to finish the new amphitheater. It's now expected to be ready in the next month or so. Still, he encourages residents and others to come down to the park and check for themselves. 'You can see with your own eyes if there's equipment moving and people moving. Things are going on,' he said. Although the old pool and building will eventually be demolished, Diaz-Guy said his priority is to have the new aquatic center open for the start of the season next year. 'The project is on pace. We're moving at a schedule we're comfortable with. We anticipate a 2026 opening,' he said. The Village will mark its Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) next month. It will be held on Saturday, July 12, starting with a parade in the morning and activities for the whole family along North Market Street in the downtown area. 'Small shacks will be set up for children's games. The fire department is sponsoring axe throwing, and the police department is doing child ID kits. Many of the local businesses are getting involved in a variety of ways as well,' Diaz-Guy said. The day's activities will culminate with an oldies concert at East Palestine High School The festivities will all be free and open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Latest plans at 'derelict and neglected' Stroud site
FRESH plans have been lodged to transform a graffiti strewn grot spot on a key gateway to Stroud. Proposals have been submitted to convert the former Bristol Street Motors showroom in London Road into a new convenience store which also includes plans for a new roof, shopfront and signage. This is the second attempt to revitalise the graffiti strewn site described as a 'horrible, neglected eyesore' and which closed two years ago. Previous plans to demolish the car dealership and build more than 30 homes were refused by Stroud District Council. The new plans - for a store which would sell food, household products and more - also includes twenty parking spaces. The proposals have been blasted by a leading figure who says he doesn't think there is enough demand for another convenience store, adding that the site should be used for housing. Cllr Lucas Schoemaker, town and district councillor for Trinity ward, said: 'This site as it stands is a horrible, neglected eyesore and a visual blight on this key entrance into Stroud town centre. 'Something needs to be done with it and I would ideally like this site to be used for housing. "However, we have heard nothing further from the potential developer whose earlier application was turned down for failure to meet SDC's affordable housing criteria.' Cllr Schoemaker doesn't believe that there is enough demand for another store of this kind. He said: 'The applicants say that the nearest similar stores are in Brimscombe and Bussage. "They don't seem to have taken into account that both Waitrose and the existing BP petrol station are only a short walk away – and that a convenience store only recently opened in King Street, a short drive away. 'I want the applicants to share with local councillors evidence of public consultation and market research to show that there is indeed enough demand to justify this application. I'd also like to know which retailer would be operating the proposed store, as this is not mentioned in the application. 'I'm also concerned about the potential traffic issues, given that the store would be open for 11 hours every day of the week, and the site's proximity to a busy roundabout. "Is the road wide enough for a right-turn lane? "I fear the same issues as at Merrywalks, where the lack of a right-turn lane for McDonalds is leading to long tailbacks, frustrating for motorists and a real threat to our precious air quality which is always under threat in the Golden Valley.' 'The tree officer's request is spot on: that a proper tree impact survey is done to reassure the council that the trees will be protected during the proposed work.' Cllr Schoemaker plans to 'call in' the application – meaning that it will be subject to a full discussion by councillors on the development control committee. Meanwhile he urges residents to submit comments to the council by the deadline of July 1 so that their views are taken into account. A statement - on behalf of the applicant - read: 'The provision of a convenience store on the east side of Stroud will fulfil the need for a store where customers will benefit from shorter cashier lines and longer opening hours selling food, grocery supplies, household products, hygiene products, toiletries, and other items similar to items on sale in larger supermarkets 'The nearest similar stores are at Brimscombe and the Tesco at Bussage. 'Twenty parking spaces including two staff and two accessible will be marked out in front of the building 'The building which has been unoccupied and boarded up since June 2023 provides a suitable location for a convenience store, with good access and adequate parking.' The proposals were also due to be discussed by the Highways and Consultations Committee at Stroud Town Council on Monday. In July 2023 Bristol Street Motors closed its doors for good - the site had been used for the motor trade for six decades. See the plans -
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Some 11th Avenue Regina businesses say revitalization project is harming bottom lines
Social Sharing Businesses on 11th Avenue in downtown Regina are saying the revitalization project on the street is driving away customers, leading one longtime store to leave the area for good, while another plans to do the same next year. Mortise and Tenon, a household goods retailer, and Norwood, a clothing store, are both relocating to the Cathedral neighborhood. The owners say the move is a consequence of the 11th Avenue revitalization project, which has torn up the street in a multi-year effort to replace aging infrastructure and sidewalks. It is planned to be completed in 2027. "My concern is that by the time this is over, there may not be anyone left on 11th to welcome everybody back to the downtown," said Mortise and Tenon co-owner Dani Hackle. The project is being completed in phases, blocking off two to four blocks at a time. Currently, the road is closed between Albert and Lorne streets. The sidewalks on both sides of the street are still accessible, but the street itself is blocked off, disrupting parking and public transit. The project coincides with several major revitalization efforts taking place around the city. Dewdney Avenue, Saskatchewan Drive and Scarth Street also have upgrades planned or underway. Hackle moved her business from a location on 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue in the Cathedral area in October 2024. Mortise and Tenon had been on 11th Avenue since January 2016. "What we were finding is that not only were we losing our regular customers who were having a hard time navigating the construction and the detours and all of that, but we also weren't gaining any new customers downtown because you just couldn't get to our space," she said. Concern for other businesses Hackle said she appreciates the goal of the revitalization project and is optimistic about how 11th Avenue will look when construction is finished, but is worried about how many businesses in the area will survive until its completion. "I don't see how we would have been able to make it work," she said of her own business's prospects had it stayed in its previous location. "Plus the vision of our business and where we were headed wouldn't have been conducive downtown anymore." Clothing store Norwood is currently operating a new location on 13th Avenue, alongside its older location downtown on 11th Avenue, but will fully transition into its 13th Avenue space in 2026. Cornelia Biegler, who co-owns Norwood and Tiki Room, said Norwood's lease is up, and that the lower foot traffic and higher crime downtown is leading her to make the move. "We're not coming back. We have no desire to be down there," she said. "There's no [Winnipeg] Folk Festival this year, there's no farmers' market downtown anymore. There's no reason for anybody to come downtown, which is so sad. "But literally there's nothing going on. So now I'm on 13th Avenue, and this is a vibrant community. Like, there's stuff going on constantly here." Biegler said she has no plans to move Tiki Room, which sells skateboards and clothing. Culture Grooming Lounge, which is just down the street from Norwood and Tiki Room, also has no plans to leave. John Christie, the barbershop's manager, said Culture has lost a few clients with the construction, but he's generally optimistic about riding out the disruptions. "The lucky part about us being a barber shop is people have an appointment, they're gonna come," he said. "They're gonna be late, and the majority of our clients are late, but they still come." "If we were a retailer, if we were a restaurant, people would just go somewhere else." How one business is adapting A restaurant just down the street from Culture is The Cure Kitchen + Bar, which is co-owned by Kelly Cairns. She said the construction has been disruptive, but has found ways to cope with anticipated lower revenue. She does not have plans to move. "We're still seeing a lot of our regulars, so we're doing OK. We are closing for a week in July just to help with cost, just because we usually have a slowdown in July anyway," she said. "We've also just scaled back a little bit on our events for this summer as well and to reduce the size of our patio." "We're kind of taking an austerity approach or kind of scaling down something just to cut a few costs in anticipation of sales going down." What the mayor is saying In a conversation with the CBC's Morning Edition on June 12, Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski said he's heard the concerns about the construction, but encourages people to remember the long-term benefits of the project, which should bring significantly more people to the area compared to before. "I absolutely acknowledge that it can be frustrating to get around," he said. "But when we're talking about 11th Avenue in particular, there's infrastructure underground there that's being replaced that is from 1913.
