I call B.S. on this report from Ben Franklin. They are a niche shop that is in no way tourist driven. As such, the locals know darn well how to get there. You cannot tell me this road construction is stopping locals from going to Ben Franklin when they are so easily accessible from the back roads. They are just using this as another excuse to make some sort of bogus claim, just like so many scammers did with the BP claims.

Let's see - one way roads with backups at Kennedy and North Roosevelt all along Kennedy to Flagler. Vehicles coming from Sigsbee, Kmart shopping center, FKAA, the school all heading to Flagler because Northside is still closed. And lets not forget the City of Key West and KWHS on Flagler filtering out too. Add this up and congestion the likes you have never seen outside Miami or NYC or LA will be upon us. Now, what if there is a fire at Statium trailer park or an ambulance needed at the school or ball field? Has anyone with half a brain thought of what is going to happen? Now stir in lost tourists on scooters and bikes, Fantasy Fest parade floats and any number of idiots who drive on our roads and good night nurse! OH MY! I know better and will avoid Key West and stay and spend my money in the Lower Keys and Stock Island - Hogfish and Hurricane Hole awaits!

I will continue to buy from Pampered Pet (not the new pet store), when it doesn't take me a half hour to get home after doing so. The destruction of 14th street and Northside coinsiding with the destruction on Roosevelt was not ill planning, it was moronic. When I have to travel to 1st street, down to Flagler, be stuck in a line to get onto A1A for 4 lights, then finally turn to reach the other side of Northside, that is crazy. This never should have been begun without everything they are working for now. Who is paying this "construction" firm? Get our city attorney OUT and with a camera and take photos of the "urgency" shown by this rabble NOT working.

I recently shopped at Ben Franklin, I had not been there since last Fantasy Fest and I have to wonder if business is down due to the crazy inflated prices. I support local business but once you start charging 5 and 6 times more than I can buy online I can no longer justify paying more to support you. We all expect to pay a little more to shop local and most residents will do this, but Ben Franklin prices are out of line and pure piracy. You should consider your markups and maybe your customers will be back. I spent $87.00 in your store and could have purchased the exact same items online for $22.43 shipped. I supported you once this year but will not do so again. I work too hard for my money to just donate it to the Ben Franklin craft store.