Barrington Street businesses adjust to downtown changes [Video]

Barrington Street in downtown Halifax features plenty of retail space, but there’s a visibly high volume of shutdown and papered up storefronts.

“Businesses are always opening and closing,” said Lorn Sheehan who is a professor at Dalhousie University’s Rowe School of Business.

Several Barrington Street small businesses have closed in recent months, and Sheehan said there’s several possible reasons why.

“Subject to pressures of the economy, competitors, consumer tastes,” said Sheehan.

Plus, there are more common issues that impact the downtown experience.

“Like traffic buildup,” said Neighbourhood Witch store employee, Tori MacDonald, who added ongoing construction in this area has also caused difficulties. “I am coming here an hour or two hours before we open the shop, just to make sure I’m here on time.”

The biggest downtown construction project is the Cogswell District rebuild and renovation.

On the one hand, Sheehan said this project will likely provide a positive …