POULSBO — Brian and Nancy Koontz are in the business of relaxation, which is a tough sell with construction as background noise.
The owners of Poulsbo Massage — directly across the street from the new Poulsbo City Hall construction site — have taken to schedule changes to accommodate their peace-seeking clients.
“Our customers have been forgiving, and realize we are trying to create the best environment for their massage experience,” Brian Koontz said. “For those people who are more sensitive to construction noise, we simply try to schedule them at times when the construction day is done.”
Poulsbo Massage’s clientele remains flexible and undeterred; the volume of business has not been affected by the construction, he said.
Despite the cacophony radiating from the construction site at Third Avenue and Moe Street, local businesses say they’re doing just fine.
“We have tried to keep a good sense of humor, even when our building shook from some road work. We laughed it off as the ‘Jackhammer Special.’ We might as well make lemonade out of lemons,” Koontz said.
Connie Dang, owner of Apollo Salon and Spa, said the construction has not affected her business at all.
“We have not heard any complaint from our customers,” Dang said.
Once the project is complete, nearby businesses will reap the benefits of the renovations, namely the increased parking — 75 spots on the weekends and 35 during the week, as some spaces will be reserved for City Hall patrons.
“We understand that the new City Hall will have about 75 parking spaces available for the public. If this is true, then we believe that it will benefit our business in the future,” Dang said.
Construction is scheduled to end in July, with the official move to the new City Hall happening in September over Labor Day Weekend.
“We are looking forward to the facelift that Moe Street will receive,” Koontz said. “Moe Street has been neglected in the past and has had the appearance of an alley or backstreet. Once construction is complete, we feel Moe Street will have a welcoming appearance and as a result will give us better visibility.”
