City leaders say big projects could help bring small businesses to town

Work is still expected to start on time for the convention center and casino.

City leaders say these projects will bring jobs and money to town.

Evening and thank you for joining us.

I'm rondrell moore.

And i'm patrece dayton.

City leaders are saying big projects could bring a spark back to terre haute.

And that could bring along small businesses.

Today news 10's richard solomon spoke with a business owner who's adding the finishing touches to a new spot as we speak.

Richard joins us now live in the newsroom with more on a new business that's coming.

Right now might not seem like the best time to open a business.

But kris krout says some of the big projects will help keep his doors open.

"nats" many would think what kris kraut is doing is down right insane.

"it does feel kind of crazy to open a business during a pandemic."

Kraut's the co-owner of the new federal coffee and fine foods in downtown terre haute.

His new coffee shop will neighbor what we'll soon call the convention center.

Which kraut desrcibes as a perfect spot for a business to bounce back.

"this hit on us was tough but we know as this all kind of pumps back in and we have people visiting downtown grabbing we know that we should be better off when it's all said and done" and after speaking with kristian craig she says kraut isn't the only business owner looking to open soon.

Craig is the president of the terre haute chamber of commerce.

She says several other businesses are making progress in downtown terre haute.

One..being this new pizza shop.

Craig says the big projects are like a light at the end of a tunnel.

"so basically, big projects create small businesses?

They absolutely do.

Those are jobs meaningful employment for people.

So the more we can boost those smaller projects to go along with those bigger things the better off we're going to be and the quicker we can restore out economy to where it needs to be " "nats" and kraut has made sure safety can be practiced...even with this walk up window..

He says the future for this little shop..is promising.

"people are kind of bound up they want life to come back to normal they want to feel safe.

People that are visiting here for a convention we'll just kind of capture some of that foot-traffic " kraut says kraut says he's hoping to open his business by the end of the month.

He says it could be something positive in this time of confusion.

Reporting live in the newsroom richard solomon news 10.