Open for business: Arcadia businesses frustrated by SR 70 construction

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK) —Road construction on State Road 70 in downtown Arcadia is testing the patience of local business owners.

• RELATED: State Road 70 work in Arcadia pushed to late 2027, frustrating neighbors

The Florida Department of Transportation has been working on the road since 2023. The ongoing project has created challenges for businesses trying to attract customers in the area.

Zachery McNally owns The Pixel Vault and the nearby Mana Vault, both located on West Magnolia Street in downtown Arcadia. His stores are home to vintage games, rare trading cards and a place where customers can trade in unwanted gaming equipment for cash.

Despite open signs hanging in windows, McNally said the construction outside may be driving away potential business.

"With this construction, it just makes it seem like people traveling along and coming into town don't really get to notice what we really have going on and what we have available for people," McNally said.

McNally isn't letting the roadwork slow him down. He's encouraging people to look past the construction barriers and discover what downtown Arcadia has to offer.

"Dragons Den in downtown is a wonderful bookstore. There's a coffee shop over there, and all the antique stores, of course," McNally said. "Downtown is well and lively. We have a lot of community events going on. And come, come check us out."