Businesses fight back against construction NE Minneapolis [Video]

Small business owners are fighting back against construction zones that are leaving them isolated and on the brink of closure in Northeast Minneapolis.

Streets between Main Street and 8th Street SE in the Nicollet Island-East Bank neighborhood are expected to be reduced to a single lane until the end of the year. It’s already had an effect on Vellee Deli, who announced on social media they were closing their doors and trying to work out a new deal with landlords.

“Unless you live nearby, you may not know that ever since we opened, our streets have been plagued by two years of relentless construction, which has eliminated street parking and caused major disruptions to our retail parking lot, making it incredibly hard for many of you to reach us,” said the owners.

It also means less traffic for shops like Olio Vintage on 5th Street NE. Owner Carrie Martinson says this past weekend local …