Rochester Business Blames Construction for Permanent Closure

Rochester’s massive construction projects are supposed to help build the Med City’s future, but for another small business, the future apparently won’t include a storefront on Second Street. With ongoing construction, detours, and frustrated customers, another Rochester business says it has closed its front door for good.

We've all heard and had to live through the ongoing construction tied to Mayo Clinic's huge Bold, Forward, Unbound expansion project that has enveloped much of downtown Rochester. And while most of us consider that project to be a positive thing for the Med City, the road closures needed to upgrade the surrounding infrastructure for that project have been deadly to several area businesses-- and that is definitely NOT a good thing.

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Another Rochester Business Closes Amid Second Street Construction

It was just a few weeks ago we got news that the ongoing construction along Second Street Southwest on the new Link Rapid Transit bus line, which started a year ago and isn't expected to be complete until NEXT fall, was responsible for Thesis Beer Project announcing that it would be closing permanently later this year-- if not sooner.

And now, another business that's also located along Second Street Southwest says the ongoing construction in front of its store has proved to be too much, and that it, too, will be closing permanently.

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Thai-riffic Announces Permanent Rochester Closure

That's the unfortunate word from Thai-riffic, which is located across from St. Marys at 1217 Second Street in Rochester. They posted the sad news on their Facebook page on Wednesday:

It is with a heavy heart that we share some difficult news. After two long years of navigating construction challenges and roadblocks, we have made the heartbreaking decision to close our front door permanently. (Immediately effective on August 27th Thursday 2026)  The detours and construction have made it increasingly hard for you to find us, and we deeply appreciate your unwavering support through it all.

The post went on to say that they were thankful to their landlord for being 'helpful and supportive during this challenging period' and that while their store may be closing, the business will continue. "While our front door may be closing, we will continue offering our catering tray services," the post said.

Rochester Construction Projects Put Pressure on Small Businesses

While I understand that all these ongoing construction projects are necessary, I'm not sure Rochester has been going about them the right way. I also don't know just *what* the right way is, mind you. I do know this, though: small business owners have it tough trying to stay afloat in these challenging economic times as it is. Adding construction projects that limit access to their business-- and go on for long periods of time-- seems way unfair.