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Downtown restaurateur warns lost parking and unused loading zone are squeezing takeout business
Summary
Chang Thai owner Raj Sundaram told the council that loss of short-term parking, long daytime loading zones and reduced street activity have cut his dine-in business and made takeout pickups difficult; council members said they will raise the issue with the parking authority.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Raj Sundaram, owner of Chang Thai restaurant at 361 High Street, told the Morgantown City Council on Jan. 21 that downtown parking changes and an underused daytime loading zone are reducing his takeout and delivery business.
"I own the Thai restaurant at 361 High Street, Chang Thai restaurant. So I've been there for almost, going into the 14th year right now," Sundaram said during the meeting's public comment period. He told council that over the last five years dine-in business fell from about 80% of sales to about 20%, with takeout and delivery now making up roughly 80%.
Sundaram said customers increasingly skip downtown pickups because parking is scarce. He described recent changes that removed several short-term customer spaces and said outdoor seating now occupies roughly five or six former parking spots, often unused outside a few warm days a year. He also said a longstanding truck-loading zone that runs until 2 p.m. occupies several spaces but is seldom used daytime now that fewer bars and restaurants operate in the block.
"There is only 3 parking spots right across across my restaurant during daytime," Sundaram said. "Right in front of me is completely trucking truck loading zone till 2 o'clock. So I'm losing my entire lunch, take out customers." He asked council to consider designated customer pickup parking or changing loading-zone hours.
A council member said the city previously had additional 15-minute customer parking spaces and suggested staff talk with the parking authority about options. The council member also said the proposal to change loading-zone use or restore short-term parking would need coordination with the parking authority.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting but directed staff to consult with the parking authority and report back. Councilors and staff also noted downtown activity levels have dropped compared with earlier years, which contributes to underused loading zones.
