South Columbus business owner says ‘Spiderweb’ construction project drove away customers

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A longtime Columbus business owner says road construction in South Columbus forced him to close his doors after 25 years.

Mike Pair, owner of Exhaust Pro Systems on Andrews Road, said the ongoing “spider web” construction project has cut off traffic that once kept his business alive.

“Obviously that drive-by traffic is gone. That convenience traffic is gone, which is 50 to 60% of our business,” Pair said. “We really didn’t know what that number would be. As it turned out, it was high enough that it decreased enough flow that really hurt us.”

The intersection of Andrews Road and Buena Vista Road has been under construction for months due to the city’s major road improvement project.

Pair said detours have made it difficult for potential and returning customers to reach his shop.

He said he feels left behind by the city as construction drags on.

“The city’s stance is that I have no damage,” Pair said. “They think when it’s all over, we’ll be better than ever. Well, that hits wrong with somebody that’s 64 years old.”

Pair said he once considered selling the business, but didn’t think buyers would be interested with construction underway.

He’s now approaching retirement and doubts he’ll see the shop thrive again once the project is complete.

Behind his mechanic shop sits a property that once housed a KFC restaurant owned by his father — another loss he says symbolizes the toll construction has taken on his family and their livelihood.

“The KFC really hurt us because they brought so much traffic in. But no one can survive if they don’t have customers,” Pair said. “My brother, mother and father have all passed, and I’m the only one left to fight — so I’ll do the fight.”

Columbus officials have not publicly addressed how long the current phase of construction will continue.