Almost a year of construction has created a rough patch for businesses along the stretch of Lovers Lane known as the Miracle Mile. But as work nears completion, many owners and employees are hopeful that smoother roads lie ahead.
The Miracle Mile’s makeover represents the first time Lovers Lane between Douglas Avenue and the Dallas North Tollway has been repaved and the utilities under it replaced in decades. University Park has been working a block at a time on the project, which has entered its final phase of construction in the south side parking lot of the 4300 block of Lovers Lane.
Business is down at least 20% for K&L Bagels at 4333 Lovers Lane, co-owner Lisa Kouzoukas said. But the shop known for its New York-style baked goods has continued to have local support.
“The neighborhood people still frequent the area. They’re constantly walking through,” Kouzoukas commented. “That part’s really nice.”
Katie Allen-Ward, who works at Drip Coffee at 4343 Lovers Lane, agreed that business has slowed, but said people have still found their way in for their morning cup of joe.
“Afternoons are super, super quiet,” Allen-Ward said. “Parking’s a little bit harder to get to, but I think we’re really lucky because people need their coffee, so they’ll find a way to get here.”
The lack of parking has upped demand in the lot next to Petco, where spaces are reserved for customers at certain Lovers Lane businesses.
“You can tell I’m very much needed,” parking patrol and security officer Jerry Beaty said, laughing, as he busily managed traffic in the lot one Tuesday morning. Beaty believes that the Lovers Lane improvements were long overdue.
“I’m trying to work with everybody. I’m trying to satisfy everybody. But you can’t. I only have 20 parking spaces,” he added. “But we’re going to make it OK.”
Jose Romo, the manager of Chip’s Old Fashioned Hamburger at 4530 W. Lovers Lane, said construction caused difficulties, but business has largely bounced back.
Andy Barton, manager at All Vac, a family-owned and operated vacuum store at 4451 Lovers Lane that’s been in operation since 1937, called the construction work’s impact “just annoying,” not a business killer.
But the roadwork has had a more serious impact on some other Miracle Mile businesses.
Bita Azarian, owner of women’s clothing boutique Bittano at 4350 Lovers Lane, said, “It’s definitely killing all the small businesses, and neither the city nor the landlords care.”
Regulars still come in for cuts at Lovers Lane Barbershop, but stylist Peter Fitch called walk-in traffic “nonexistent.” “I sit, and I read,” he said. “The day goes by a whole lot faster when you’re busier.”
Fitch said that he’s looking forward to the street’s upgrades and is hopeful that business will come back. In the meantime, the 80-year-old shop is making cuts and manicures as convenient as possible, and some customers are being dropped off at the back entrance.
The Miracle Mile construction, whose $11.6 million price tag was shared by University Park, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and Dallas County, is slated for completion in mid-May. After construction wraps up, landscape installation will begin.
More construction could still be on the table. The City of Dallas is studying a portion of Lovers Lane from Lemmon Avenue (at Love Field) eastward to Lomo Alto Drive with the goal of identifying and prioritizing projects that would enhance mobility and improve safety, according to the city’s website.
At Holy Ravioli, Scott Albrecht said he expects business to take a while to pick up, and that work on the west side of the tollway could impact the traffic flow on Lovers Lane.
“I’ll survive. I’ve been on this block for 30 years,” he said. “The customers are great. People who live right here walk over here. It helps out.”
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