South Mission Street construction cited in closure of Sony's Oriental Market in Wenatchee

Third-generation Sony's Oriental Market has closed, with its owner saying ongoing construction negatively impacted sales.

On April 13, owner Dana Bates announced the closure of her shop via social media and through signage posted outside.

Bates told The Wenatchee World in April that ongoing disruptions from The Majestic Apartments construction project on South Mission Street significantly influenced her decision to close the convenience store. She also said she didn't "want to blame" or "put a purely negative assignment on the construction project that has essentially ruined" her business.

Bates said she proactively contacted city departments, the construction company and traffic controllers to help mitigate business impacts from having the far east lane of Mission Street coned off for construction.

Wenatchee City Engineer Jake Lewing said the city has been in active communication with local businesses to minimize disruptions from the construction project.

Inquiries to Weidner Apartment Homes, which is building The Majestic Apartments, were not returned by press time.

The parking lane in front of the business was temporarily restricted when construction work was underway, but there was additional street parking immediately south of the storefront.

Bates said foot traffic into her store largely disappeared before 3 p.m., until cones were removed after construction work for the apartment project was completed each day. Bates said business dropped as low as one-fifth of the average number of customers visiting the store.

"Like I basically decided like a month ago," she said in April. "What's the point of even being here before 3?"

She said construction workers frequently parked beyond the two-hour street parking limits in front of the Poltz Rentals building, where customers typically parked. She called parking enforcement on numerous occasions, and workers parked illegally were ticketed.

"I got tired of griping, like I had to call parking enforcement and say, there are cars parked here all day long... Yeah, for eight hours," she said.

Bates said the right-lane closure made access to the store difficult and she saw fewer customers came in to shop.

Although she received some cooperation from parties involved in the project, Bates said efforts from the city to minimize disruptions to local businesses were not sufficient.

"They fail to give people adequate advance notice, and they fail to actually be the boots on the ground that actually sees what is happening there," she said. "And they fail to connect with the business owners and say, 'How is this going for you? I'm sure this could be affecting you. Is there anything we can do to help?'"

Lewing wrote in an email that "when concerns were brought forward, City staff reviewed the setup with the contractor and made adjustments where possible, including relocating certain signs to improve access and visibility.

"The current lane closure along South Mission Street is necessary to safely support ongoing construction activities associated with the Majestic project," he continued. "The traffic control layout was designed in accordance with established standards based on the speeds and traffic volumes along this state route. Those standards are in place to protect both the traveling public and construction personnel."

A spokesperson for TBMM LLC, the construction traffic control services company that implements the signage, said the company followed standards set by the city to ensure safety.

Bates said she began looking at the situation as an opportunity for a sabbatical and wants to remain positive despite closing the business.

"I want to end things knowing that all circumstances lined up for my ultimate good, for my ultimate journey, for my ultimate destiny, like where God has me is in a place of peace and forgiveness and surrender."

She said she did not have plans to reopen the convenience store.

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