BlackburnNews.com file photo of construction along a section of Walker Rd. in 2012.BlackburnNews.com file photo of construction along a section of Walker Rd. in 2012.
Windsor

Windsor Business Owner Suing City

A prominent business on Walker Rd. for the last 46 years is closing shop, but it's not going quietly.

Rick Merlo, the owner of Merlo's Formal Wear, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Windsor for $4-million. He says construction on Walker Rd. every summer for years now has killed his business, and it's just not worth it anymore. "Our annual sales were as high as $1.6-million," he says. "Our traffic levels on Walker Rd. went down one-third. I can't survive on that."

The business is up for sale, and if the new owners want to relocate, Merlo says that will be up to them but he's had enough.

"Prior to 2000, we went through all the recessions, all the plant closures, our business still grew. It's meaningless. If you can't get to me, or you won't go on this street, we're out of business."

The store is expected to close tomorrow.

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