SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio bicycle shop is fighting to keep its doors open after operating for more than a century in downtown.
The owner of Charles A. James Bicycle Shop blames ongoing construction along North Main Avenue. Currently, the street is down to one lane and parking is limited to customers in the area.
An apartment building is also going up across the street.
"The construction across the street took away about ten parking slots and then when the City started doing their construction they took another ten," said Hank Estrada, the owner.
Estrada said the business depends on the street parking nearby. Now, customers are having to walk several blocks to bring their bikes in for repairs.
"[Customers] now complain because they have to drive through construction and a lot of them do not like it," he said.
Construction began during the summer but Estrada said December has been the hardest month by far for business. Revenue is down by 60 percent, which has led him to consider cost saving measures and even closing up shop.
"It's got to a point where I work from week to week so I can make enough money to pay what I need to pay for the following week," said Estrada.
Other ideas he has considered include picking up bikes from customers for repairs, small wheelchair repairs or letting his mechanic go.
"I've talked to Councilman Bravo and he came back and told me he was trying to do something about it," said Estrada.
Estrada also mentioned a recent City program aimed at helping local businesses hurting by ongoing construction. However, the money allocated from the program doesn't help businesses with paying bills.
Estrada needs immediate relief.
"What has helped me is the Go Fund Me that I did. People have been donating and that's what has really helped," he said.
Estrada said if he continues to receive money online, he should be able to keep the shop open.
The Charles A. James Bicycle Shop is open six days a week and located at 319 North Main Avenue.