Name: Old City businesses hit hard by construction
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T04:12:17.439Z
Duration: 2 min 27 s
Description: Old City business owners are expressing frustration over the negative impact the ongoing construction has had on their stores.

Old City business owners are expressing frustration over the negative impact the ongoing construction has had on their stores.

Old City

Businesses in Old City, Philadelphia, have experienced major disruptions and financial losses as a result of a year-long construction project, with some reporting revenue drops of up to 80%. The construction, combined with a government shutdown, has created significant challenges for stores and restaurants in the area, which rely heavily on both office workers and tourists.

Local organizations, including the Old City District and the Merchants Fund, have provided grants to help affected businesses, and some owners remain optimistic, opening new shops despite the difficulties. The majority of the construction is expected to be completed by the end of the following week, offering hope for recovery and improved accessibility for pedestrians and bikers.

Old City businesses hit hard by construction

happening now. We are getting really sick and tired of having to navigate all the construction in Old City, whether you're walking, biking or driving. This construction is definitely getting old. It feels like it's been forever without a jackhammer or a paving truck in the way. And Jenny, you spoke with some local business owners in the area who are also feeling the impact. Yeah, it's definitely taken its toll on the local businesses. It has been a long year of construction, which has certainly resulted in a loss of business. But the good news we're hearing is that the bulk of this project is going to be wrapped up by the end of next week. I wish this would end already. Suit lab business owner Gary Ginsberg says he's had enough of the months long construction project happening outside his storefront at third and market streets. The noise, the detours, everything is just a disaster, and it continues to hurt Old City businesses. A lot of people can't park, so they drive by all the business around here are down at least 80%. It's a disaster around here. Um, I don't wish this on anybody. Job. It's go. It's executive director of the Old City District says the construction plus the government shutdown has proven to be a double whammy for these stores and restaurants. His old city is dependent on government employers filling office space. It's also dependent on tourists coming to the neighborhood. Hopefully the worst is over. We're very excited that this could be at least paved next week. It's go. It says the hope is that short term pain leads to long term gain, making this neighborhood more accessible to pedestrians and bikers. Old City District is working with the city and the merchants fund to help businesses power through. Many businesses on the corridor have gotten grants of up to $20,000 answer. Body remains hopeful. He owns coffee and tea company at third and Market Streets, and despite the challenges this year, decided to open Liberty ice cream shop one block away. Ah, promising sign. It's one of a handful of new businesses on the block, either open now or coming soon. We're not professional gamblers, but we're doubling down on Philadelphia because this is our home. Mhm. And so business owners are hopeful that they are nearing the end of all of this again. This stretch of Market Street is expected to be paved by the end of next week. Back to you.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced "Operation Southern Spear" in the Western Hemisphere as U.S. strikes continue in the region near Colombia and Venezuela. CBS News' Eleanor Watson reports.

Hegseth announces 'Operation Southern Spear'

The U.S. has approved the sale of $330 million worth of weapons to Taiwan as tensions rise in the region with China. CBS News' Nancy Cordes reports.

Taipei City

U.S. approves massive sale of weapons to Taiwan

Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on Thursday with NASA twin spacecraft destined for Mars aboard, and in a breakthrough nailed the landing of its booster.

Cape Canaveral

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket deploys Mars satellites

A three-person crew stranded at China’s space station after their spacecraft was apparently hit by space debris are to return Friday using the craft that brought their replacement crew.

Chinese astronauts return to earth after spacecraft damaged

The AI firm Anthropic says Chinese hackers used its artificial intelligence tools to spy on tech companies, financial institutions and government agencies in what it believes is the first documented case of a worldwide cyberattack with minimal human involvement.

Rise of AI

Anthropic says Chinese hackers used its AI chatbot in cyberattack

Senior U.S. military officials have presented President Donald Trump with options for potential military operations inside Venezuela, including strikes on land, sources tell CBS News. Charlie D'Agata reports.

Washington

Trump weighs military plans against Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump is ducking press questions about newly released emails connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities ahead of an expected vote on releasing all Epstein case files by the U.S. House of Representatives as early as next week.

Trump avoids media’s Epstein email questions

The U.S. government lumbered back to life on Thursday (November 13) after the longest shutdown in U.S. history snarled air traffic, cut food assistance to low-income Americans and forced more than 1 million workers to go unpaid for more than a month. But the deep political divisions that caused the 43-day shutdown in the first place remain unresolved.

U.S. government opens up again but deep political divisions remain

China's factory output and retail sales grew at their weakest pace in over a year in October, piling pressure on policymakers to revamp the $19 trillion export-driven economy as mounting supply and demand strains threaten to further curtail growth.

Beijing

China's factory output, retail sales growth worst in over a year

Germany's government plans to bring back military service, to boost troop numbers to deal with the perceived threat from Russia. But voluntary conscription could become compulsory, if not enough recruits come forward.

Berlin

Germany outlines potential shift to compulsory conscription

As F-35 stealth fighter jets fly missions from a reopened naval base in Puerto Rico and Marines practice beach landings, sources tell CBS News the Pentagon is preparing for possible military action in Venezuela. Charlie D'Agata reports.

Pentagon preparing for possible military action in Venezuela

President Trump's name appears hundreds of times in the newly-released batch of 23,000 pages of records and messages from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, raising questions about their relationship. Mr. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has called the scandal a "hoax" perpetrated by Democrats.

Trump named hundreds of times in newly released Epstein files

A federal judge has ruled that hundreds of people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area must be released. CBS News immigration and politics reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez has more.

Chicago

Judge finds ICE illegally arrested hundreds of people in Chicago

For the first time in six weeks, the U.S. government is open. President Trump signed a bill last night to fund the government through the end of January.

Trump says he is 'willing to work with anyone' on health care

U.S. forces have killed four people in the latest strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. CBS News national security coordinating producer James LaPorta has more.

Caracas

U.S. forces kill four in latest Caribbean drug boat strike

Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the West Bank on Thursday (November 13) and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, Palestinian residents said.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli settlers torch mosque in West Bank, residents say

Thailand-Cambodia border tensions escalate days after a US-backed ceasefire agreement breaks down.

Bangkok

Thailand-Cambodia tensions escalate as truce hangs in the balance

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is one step closer to the full release of the Justice Department's documents on Jeffrey Epstein after securing the final signature needed to force a House vote. Scott MacFarlane reports.

House to vote on Epstein files release after bipartisan group push

With the Amazon nearing a tipping point, Indigenous voices are demanding immediate action at COP30, with campaigners saying their protests are a stark reminder that time is running out to stop catastrophic climate change.

Belém

Indigenous voices demand action at COP30 amid Amazon crisis

The U.S. government's longest standoff left both parties facing heavy criticism, and neither is likely to claim victory. Millions of Americans felt the impact, from hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers to families left without food stamps.

Trump signs deal to end record 43-day U.S. shutdown

Venezuela is preparing a 'massive mobilization' of its military as the U.S.’s largest warship arrives in the Caribbean Sea after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a military buildup in the region.

Venezuela readying military as U.S.’s largest warship arrives

After 43 days, Congress passes a bill to reopen the U.S. government—Trump to sign spending legislation into law.

Washington County

U.S. House votes to re-open government, Trump to sign bill

Linda Sun faces trial – Prosecutors allege she secretly advanced China’s interests while serving in New York government.

New York

Ex-aide to NY governor accused of being China agent

The House passed a funding bill to end the government shutdown on Wednesday night, sending the measure to President Trump's desk for final signature.

House passes bill to fund government and end U.S. shutdown

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the G7 summit to discuss defense, trade, and global security cooperation amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Kananaskis

Canada meets with U.S. counterpart Rubio at G7 summit

Venezuela has announced a "massive mobilization" of its military forces, as the U.S. continues its military buildup in the Caribbean. The announcement comes in the wake of U.S. strikes that have targeted at least 20 vessels in the waters around Latin America, killing dozens of people.

Venezuela mobilizing military as U.S. builds up military presence

The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a long-awaited bill to end the government shutdown. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has more from Capitol Hill.

House of Representatives ready vote on ending government shutdown

Warning: Some details are disturbing. An Army OB-GYN in Texas is accused of years of sexual assault and abuse of women on multiple bases, according to a recent lawsuit.

Killeen

Army gynecologist accused of secretly taking videos during exams

U.S. House Democrats on Wednesday released emails from Jeffrey Epstein referencing President Donald Trump, who has denied any knowledge of the convicted sex offender's crimes. In a 2019 email, Epstein said Trump "knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop."

New emails from Epstein mentioning Trump released by House Democrats

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to allegations of taking bribes to rig pitches. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Breakdown