BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – For businesses along Burlington’s Main Street, 2025 was not an easy year. They dealt with sidewalk closures, public safety issues and fewer Canadian tourists. After the holidays though, they’re feeling extra support from the Burlington community.
The end of the year is resembling a light at the end of the tunnel for businesses on Main Street. Thanks to the snowy holiday season and construction halting, JP Coseno with North Star Sports says they felt a boost.
“People were like I can go use this stuff as well and I can get to you like not only did we have good snow but people can actually drive and get to us,” Coseno said.
Other businesses felt the same. Their main challenge was construction in full swing during the summer.
“Ugh it’s a relief,” said Robin Gershman with Pearl when asked how it feels to see that project wrap up.
Having the sidewalks and road closed turned customers away.
“I’d hear feedback from customers that would try to come in and they’d drive down and couldn’t park,” Gershman said.
“When you get to the bottom of Church St. and you just see fences and signs and it’s like Oh I guess this is the end of the marketplace and that’s very much not the case so we’re really grateful to see the better foot traffic,” said Paddy Donnelly with Bern Gallery.
Donnelly says they had conversations about closing their doors.
“I’ll be honest there were more existential concerns than I’ve ever seen I’ve been working here for about a decade and things got tougher than I’ve really ever seen here,” Donnelly said.
They say their business is back to being strong since late fall. Despite the tough year, all businesses spoke about how much the community has been there.
“If more business comes to anyone downtown it helps all businesses,” Coseno said.
“You can kinda just feel it walking around town that there’s an energy that’s back to the streets and I think we’ve all been missing it,” Donnelly said.
“I’ve definitely sensed a shift people are coming downtown supporting local,” Gershman said.
Businesses say that having Main Street back open in combination with the holiday boost is exactly what they needed, and they’re excited for 2026.
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