Local businesses impacted after Pittsburgh bridge collapse

PITTSBURGH — D’s Six Pax and Dogz is one of many businesses in Regent Square now feeling the impact after the Fern Hollow bridge collapse. The restaurant’s assistant manager said many of their customers are from the Squirrel Hill area.

“When it first happened, we noticed a dip especially in the evening. Obviously, what was a 5 to 10 minute drive, with detours and everything has turned into a 30 to 40 [minute] venture, which has kept some people away,” said Jerimiah Elsass, the assistant manager at D’s Six Pax and Dogz.

It’s the same story just a few doors down at Smashed Waffles, a new business that is also seeing a drop in sales.

“It definitely impacts us having less traffic in this area. We rely on all the people from the neighborhoods nearby,” said Brittany Rall, the general manager of Smashed Waffles. “So to cut that pathway off I think it will have a big impact.

The Regent Square Civic Association took to Facebook raising similar concerns and asking folks to be extra supportive to all the businesses in Regent Square in the coming months due to the bridge closure causing reduced traffic. But Rall is still worried about what lies ahead.

“It could take years before we see any connection there again, so we are worried hoping it doesn’t impact business too much,” said Rall

You may remember D’s Six Pax and Dogz was shut down for about four months last year due to an arson. Now with this bridge collapse, they said it’s another setback and hope folks continue to come out and support them and the other local businesses.

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