COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -Months of construction along Tejon Street have slowed business for several downtown restaurants, leaving owners hopeful that Saturday’s Festival of Lights parade will help bring customers back.

Workers say foot traffic has dropped significantly as sidewalks and streets have been blocked or rerouted. At East Coast Deli, staff numbers were cut to match the decline.

“We’re under-red. We went from five servers on the weekend to three … and from four during the week to two. The volume is almost probably cut in half," server Ryan Bills said.

Businesses are preparing for one of the busiest nights of the year, but many say recovery will take time beyond the annual holiday event.

At Gasoline Alley, Chef Dylan Montanio said the improvements downtown should help dr

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