Local businesses worry about big hit from I-5 Skagit River bridge collapse

For many Skagit Valley businesses, the Memorial Day weekend is a big one and many are nervously watching to see the impact of the I-5 bridge collapse on their bottom lines.

“It’s a really good weekend for us because people who are going out to the islands or maybe Anacortes drive right by our store,” says Summer Houlihan with Tri-Dee Arts, a small gift and arts supply shop in downtown Mount Vernon.

Houlihan is just one of many local business owners who count on tourist traffic to swing by off I-5. Now, the fear is many will avoid the town and the inevitable traffic altogether.

“We’re a favorite stop for people going up to Vancouver or down from Vancouver so we get people from a large area,” says Todd Wood at the Skagit Valley Food co-op. He’s hoping locals will help make up for lost business, but he expects a noticeable drop in customers until the bridge reopens.

Everyone from our state’s senators to local business leaders are trying to beat the drum and encourage people to still shop in the area, even if it’s a bit inconvenient while the bridge is out.

“Those businesses are open. They are looking to our state to help support them at this time, so come and shop,” implored Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) at a news conference Friday in Mount Vernon.

Kristen Kelpz, CEO of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce, is worried but hopeful everyone will step up and keep commerce coming.

“I know that this will definitely be a big priority. This doesn’t just affect our local community,” she said. “We are open, our businesses are there, there are routes to get there.”

Not everyone is worried. The folks at the Mount Vernon Cafe tell KIRO Radio’s Brandi Kruse if people get stuck in traffic long enough, they’ll have to stop and grab a burger for the road. And other businesses on some of the detour routes stand to benefit from the increased traffic.