TOLEDO — A multi-year road and sewer project on Arlington Avenue is making it harder for customers to reach businesses along the corridor, and owners say they are adapting day by day to stay connected with their neighborhoods.
Construction on Arlington Avenue began in 2026 and is currently scheduled to run through 2028. The work has restricted vehicle access to storefronts along parts of the street, forcing some businesses to direct customers through neighboring parking lots and side routes.
Among those affected is Crispy Bites and Wings, owned by Ali Amira, 60. Restaurant owners along the avenue say the access problems compound the usual challenges of running a small business — equipment, staffing and costs do not pause for construction.
For Amira’s restaurant, the strain grew last weekend when its oven broke down on Oct. 10. A repair technician reached the restaurant on Oct. 11, but the episode underscored how little margin a small kitchen has when customer traffic is already disrupted by roadwork.
City project materials outline a phased timeline for the corridor, with sewer replacement and street reconstruction continuing in stages through 2028, moving section by section along Arlington Avenue.
For now, businesses on the corridor are asking regulars to keep coming — even if getting to the door takes a detour — while the long-term work moves toward an updated street and sewer system.
