AKRON — Some downtown Akron business owners say that ongoing street and sidewalk closures are taking a toll on their bottom line as major construction projects continue to reshape the area.

Ed Sutter, owner of Eddie's Famous Cheesesteaks on South Main Street, said foot traffic has slowed noticeably over the past month — right around the time a “Sidewalk Closed” sign went up across from his restaurant.

“We don’t need roadblocks — or shall I say, sidewalk blocks,” Sutter said.

Just outside Eddie’s, part of the Main Street sidewalk remains blocked off as work continues on the historic Ohio Building. Across the street, Bowery Street — a key route through downtown — is also closed to traffic.

“It seems like something minor,” Sutter said. “But everybody is in a ‘now world.’ Everything happen

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