(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The owner of a hardware store that’s been in Logan Square for decades blames a loss in business on protected bike lanes outside his store.
There used to be 25 to 30 parking spaces in front of Gillman Ace Hardware along Milwaukee Avenue, estimates Alan Gillman. Now, there are only 7 or 8 spaces. He says they’re taken up all day long, with neighboring businesses dealing with the same problem.
He’s not against bikes but is frustrated at what he sees as the reason customers aren’t coming in.
“Serving the community for over 75 years, and this is our payback?” Gillman told WBBM Newsradio on Wednesday. “I just didn’t think it was right.”
Gillman said city officials didn’t tell him or the other businesses the dedicated bike lanes were coming nearly two years ago. As for relocating the store, he said that would be too difficult.
Advocates for bike lanes tell Block Club Chicago they have improved safety along the dangerous Milwaukee Avenue corridor.
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