Rodrigues “Rod” Smith expressed a sense of despair as he witnessed his business, a barber shop located on Main Street in Frisco, deteriorate amidst ongoing construction projects involving a new parking garage, the 4th Street Plaza, and significant renovations to Main Street itself. Unfortunately, the impact of these projects on local foot traffic has been profound.

“Being brutally honest, I knew I couldn’t survive that, because I wasn’t bringing the money in,” Smith remarked, revealing the harsh reality of his situation.

Barber’s Ongoing Struggles

The 49-year-old barber has been operating in a space on the 6900 block of Main Street for six years. As the local economy crumbled, he struggled to meet his rent obligations, pay his employees, and provide for his sons. The burden became overwhelmingly heavy.

“Terrible, man. I lost 30 pounds behind this, and I’ve been wearing two faces,” Smith divulged, further emphasizing the emotional toll the situation has taken on him. “You might think I’m doing good, yeah, but I’m a prideful man, too.” His fortitude has witnessed a chilling test, illustrating the heartache behind maintaining a business while facing inevitable decline.

Despite reaching out to the city of Frisco along with other local business owners about the significant financial repercussions of the ongoing construction, the response left much to be desired. Smith voiced that the city’s proposals lacked viability for his barber shop, leading him to the difficult decision to leave Main Street after six years in that location.

In an effort to keep his passion alive, Smith resorted to cutting hair in his garage for some time until he could secure a new shop in Little Elm. “And me, just knowing myself, my days are numbered. ‘Cuz I gotta get back to what I’m used to,” he lamented, revealing a determination to reclaim some normalcy despite the profound feelings of loss. Smith firmly believes that his brand, Brooklyn’s Cuts and Designs, has become a casualty of construction in the area.

City’s Response to Business Impact

In response to complaints from local business owners like Smith, Ben Brezina, Assistant City Manager of Frisco, offered insight into the complexities of renovation projects like those on Main Street. “Well, any time you do a renovation project, especially one that’s that close to those businesses, in Main Street in particular, it’s not easy to complete the project and not have an impact on traffic, on businesses that are down there, on tourism, on the restaurants,” he explained.

Brezina noted the cyclical nature of business, indicating that while some establishments thrive, others inevitably struggle or close. He pointed to the success story of Dad Jokes Cheesyburger as a notable exception in the area. In the meantime, he asserted that the city has far exceeded an investment of $80 million for the construction project with additional initiatives aimed at supporting local businesses.

“Since July, we’ve committed over $1.4 million to help the Rail District businesses,” Brezina confirmed, describing various efforts in place, including creating 12,000 gift cards, with 8,000 of those mailed to residents living within a one-mile radius of the rail district. He shared that Frisco had spent $177,000 on the gift card initiative that aims to boost local commerce.

Brezina also mentioned over $600,000 in sales of digital gift cards, which are expected to positively impact participating businesses during the upcoming holiday season. “So we did an advertising allowance grant,” he added, referring to a $3,000 advertising grant as another form of assistance. For further support, he highlighted a $1.5 million facade program intended to provide businesses with necessary funding for aesthetic improvements.

Additionally, the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has invested about $250,000 into advertising and promoting the Frisco Rail District across the Metroplex, aiming to attract foot traffic to the area amid ongoing challenges. Unfortunately for Smith, none of these efforts proved beneficial for his barbershop. “I’m a barber, so gift cards aren’t my currency,” he remarked, stating he had applied for a grant that ultimately resulted in a disappointing denial.

Brezina acknowledged the council’s position that direct economic grants were not going to be distributed to businesses affected by the construction, hence their creative alternative programs like the gift card initiative and advertising promotion.

With a goal to complete the Main Street projects by January 2026, Brezina reported that street trees and lights were currently being installed with substantial progress on brick paving and completed driveways. The parking garage and the 4th Street Plaza are expected to be completed by May, featuring a celebratory grand opening during the summer months.

However, all these developments will occur without Smith’s barbershop, as a sign announcing a new pizza restaurant already occupies his former location. Currently, he is subleasing a new space where he hopes customers can easily access his services without encountering problematic roads. “I still want to make my next move and I’m really hurt about how this all happened,” he expressed, still grappling with the financial devastation from the adverse effects of the construction.

Expressing his feelings poignantly, he stated, “I feel a way, I feel a way, man, ‘cuz I drive by things that I’ve helped, put people in a position to help, stirred the pot that came to see me for these helps and these opportunities.” His sense of loss highlights the deep connection business owners often have with their communities and the many layers of difficulty they face during challenging times.

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