North Hatley residents and business owners not only dealt with the weight of the pandemic but they were also burdened by a months-long construction project on the only bridge in town.
“It’s hurting all of us, it hurts us at the marina, it’s hurting all of the stores, the boutiques, everything. Between Covid and the bridge closing, it was not a very good year,” said North Hatley Marina owner Steve Piercy.
Bridge construction split the small town in two, but on Saturday vehicles were once again permitted to cross the Main Street connector. However, many local businesses have suffered beyond repair due to a mix of soaring Covid cases and noisy bridge work.
Piercy said the inn located at the corner of the bridge is temporarily closed because the owner struggled to rent out rooms. With the Eastern Townships in a red zone and customers complaining about noise levels, the inn’s owner was forced to close up shop.
