Bridge delay leaves businesses high and dry

By Olivia Robinson

BROCKPORT, N.Y.--The financial future is bleak for many businesses on the historic Main Street of Brockport.  

The lift bridge has no confirmed re-opening date, leaving many Brockport business owners and residents feeling frustrated. 

Ongoing construction in the summer on the lift bridge, Main St., Brockport, N.Y. (Photo/ Olivia Robinson)  

The Lift Bridge Book Shop is a local landmark on Main Street, with owner Sarah Bonczyk running the store since she took over ten years ago.  

The front entrance of the Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport, N.Y. (Photo/ Olivia Robinson) 

“Perspective-wise, it’s made 2020 and COVID look like a cakewalk. It’s been so detrimental,” Bonczyk said.  

The store has been open for fifty-three years and firmly encourages supporting local businesses over online shopping.  

A small business poster in the window of the Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport, N.Y. (Photo/ Olivia Robinson) 

The bridge closure has customers turning away from the area.

"Our merchants are open and they’re struggling, their businesses are down 40-45%," Brockport Village manager Erica Linden said. "This has been a very very difficult 18 months for them and I would recommend that people come down."

"You’re always battling the easiness that everybody has at their fingertips. That’s a challenge because of the convenience it presents," Bonzcyk said.  

Ongoing construction in the winter on the lift bridge, Main St., Brockport, N.Y. (Photo/ Olivia Robinson) 

Brockport residents want to know when the bridge will re-open, after multiple delays.  

"We have been asking for updates," Linden said. "We have asked our local congressman to come out and speak with us, to understand the concerns and the impact this is having on our local business."

A display at the Red Bird Tea Shop on Main St., Brockport, N.Y. (Photo/ Olivia Robinson)  

"Our customer count is down," Red Bird Tea Sho owner Jo Matella said. "I’m very disappointed that it didn't open at the end of February. I look forward to it opening up whenever it does."

The Main Street bridge has been closed since May 2023, and the project was supposed to take 18 months.  

A sign showing the historical significance of Main St., Brockport, N.Y. (Photo/ Olivia Robinson)  

“We look forward to having a big welcome back to Brockport party when the bridge reopens, so the northern and southern sides of the village are reunited,” Linden said.  

The impact of the closure will be felt long after the bridge is opened.

“We know it’s going to open eventually, we’re just really looking forward to that, but it will take us over four years to financially recover from this,” Bonczyk said.  

To learn more about village projects, Village Board Meetings are at the Village Municipal Building, 49 State St. on April 7 and April 21.