Construction and detours are making it harder to attract and retain customers, some Kitchener business owners say.

It’s been nearly three months since the first lane closures took effect on King Street, west of Victoria Street.

Since then, construction has expanded to include a larger stretch of King, as well as part of Charles Street in the city’s downtown.

Melhin Berhe owns a convenience store on King, near Victoria.

Her store is hurting, she says, because of detours that have taken Grand River Transit buses off King.

The stop in front of her business has been moved, temporarily, to Water Street.

“Most of our customers use the bus,” she says.

Down the street at Vincent Optical, it’s a similar story

“It’s been a little bit of a hassle,” owner Vincent Afrousi says.

Afrousi estimates that his sales have declined 25 to 30 per cent since construction began, primarily due to a drop-off on walk-in customers.

Regular customers are still finding their way to the store, he says – even if many are calling first to ask how to get around the roadwork.

“We’re just holding a positive attitude,” he says.