Shorewood businesses are open to customers despite construction on Oakland Avenue

February 27, 2026 - 08:30

A significant infrastructure project on Oakland Avenue in Shorewood has transformed the bustling corridor into a construction zone, eliminating all on-street parking for the remainder of the year. Despite the substantial disruption, local business owners are demonstrating remarkable resilience and ingenuity to ensure their doors remain open and accessible to the community.

The project, a comprehensive reconstruction of the avenue, presents a clear challenge by removing the primary parking for customers. In response, entrepreneurs are proactively reaching out with clear, consistent messaging. Many are utilizing social media and window signs to emphasize that they are indeed open for business. To mitigate the parking shortage, shops are actively promoting the availability of rear lot parking, nearby side streets, and public parking areas just a short walk away. Some businesses are even offering creative incentives, like validation for nearby parking structures or special promotions for patrons who make the trip.

The overarching sentiment from the business district is one of determined optimism. Owners acknowledge the temporary inconvenience but express strong support for the long-term benefits of the improved infrastructure. They are urging loyal customers and neighbors to embrace a slight change in routine, suggesting that walking, biking, or planning a brief extra minute to find parking will make a significant difference. This period of construction is being framed not as an obstacle, but as a testament to the village's investment in its future and a chance for the community to show its support for the local enterprises that define Shorewood's character. The collective effort ensures the commercial heart of the area continues to beat strongly through the construction dust.