By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
Photos by Charles Ricko
(Charlemont, MA) Businesses in downtown Charlemont are having a rough summer with the construction on Main Street. Overwatch Outpost owner Charles Ricko recently spoke out about the construction in front of his old store location. Road construction in the downtown area has disrupted business hours and prevented customers from parking or even being able to pull into his business. At times traffic is reduced to one lane right outside his location as well as other parts of Main Street in front of other businesses.
On August 4, Ricko was forced to close his business for the day due to the construction out front. He recently posted a photo on social media of trash being left he says by MassDOT by the sign for his business. Construction has been continuing for the majority of the summer, Ricko’s busy season for the fishing end of his business. Luckily, Ricko will be moving locations to 559 Tea Street. Hours at the old location at 97 Main Street will be adjusted during the move.
“Nothing says ‘Screw this local business’ quite like MassDOT using your business sign as a trash dump during your busy season,” said Ricko on his social media page for Overwatch Outpost.
Ricko also added that he understands that MassDOT has a job to do, but so do business owners. He also said that MassDOT removed the trash within an hour of his posting on social media.