For 7 years, Laurent Rusdikian, manager of the Rêve de Jade boutique-workshop at 1 rue Jean Fabre (Lyon 2nd), has seen his business flourish at the heart of the Festival of Lights. But this year, the announcement of a closure of his street from 5 p.m., instead of 7 p.m. as in previous years, threatens his business: “I have two hours of shortfall per day during a very touristy period, with Christmas presents, it’s huge, especially for a small business like mine.”
The decision, which he describes as “unilateral”, is all the more difficult to accept as he is unable to obtain clear explanations. “I am trying to get answers, I have contacted all the town hall services, but I have no contact, there is no one who is responsible. Only one lady called me back to tell me she was: 'just the messenger I can't do anything for you,'”deplores the manager.
Rue Jean Fabre, a small thoroughfare of barely 20 meters, has never been a source of problems according to the merchant. “For six years, our street was never closed. Last year, it was at 7 p.m., which seemed logical to me because that's the start time of the event. There, they close us at 5 p.m. while the Festival of Lights officially begins at 7 p.m. Why two more hours?”
The financial toll looks heavy for the store, the only one still open on this street. “On a big day like Saturday, I can lose between 700 and 800 euros. Over four days, I will lose between 2,500 and 3,000 euros. To some it may not seem like much, but to me it’s huge.”
While small traders are already struggling to overcome economic ups and downs, this early closure is seen as an additional blow. “It’s already complicated as a trader, but now I’m desperate. I’m a little at the end of my rope,” explains Laurent Rusdikian.
Related News :