A major road improvement project designed to address safety and drainage concerns near one of Mount Dora’s busiest intersections is taking a toll on businesses caught behind the construction.

Lake County is building a roundabout at Old U.S. Highway 441 and Eudora Road as part of a larger project that includes utility relocations, drainage improvements and construction of a smaller roundabout on Bay Road to accommodate detoured traffic.

For Phil Barnard and Kate Bellamy, owners of Magical Meat Boutique, the construction has dramatically changed one of the reasons they bought their Old Highway 441 property last year: traffic.

“When we first bought the place, we watched all of the traffic that goes by,” Phil says. “There are thousands of cars, and they can just pull in. People from all over, traveling.”

After years in downtown Mount Dora, Magical Meat Boutique moved into the larger location last year. Phil says their former location was primarily a destination, while the new building attracted curious customers who spotted the restaurant, its sign and distinctive red phone booth while driving past.

“They saw our sign and our red phone booth,” Phil says. “It was perfect.”

Since construction began, Phil says sales have fallen 42%, forcing the restaurant to reduce hours and lay off employees. While longtime customers continue to find their way to the pub, he worries the detours and confusion are discouraging visitors unfamiliar with the area.

The road project itself has been in the works for years. Phil and Kate say, however, they were unaware of its final approval when they purchased the property.

“We were not told about the final approval, and we closed on our property the day after the meeting,” Kate says.

The timing is particularly significant because the couple purchased the building after years of renting their restaurant locations. When Style visited Magical Meat Boutique earlier this year, Phil and Kate talked about investing in the property and making it their permanent home.

“We just bought the place, so we’re here for the long haul,” Phil says.

Now they are trying to protect that investment while customers navigate construction and detours around the property.

But not every business along the corridor is experiencing the project in the same way.

Allison Hartog of Set in Stone Monuments says the nature of the monument business means customers specifically seek them out rather than stop because they happen to be driving past. The company has not experienced the type of sales loss reported by Magical Meat Boutique, but construction has created other problems.

“We don’t show a loss,” Allison says. “It’s more of an inconvenience. Our trucks can’t get in. The deliveries are the most affected.”

Allison also sees firsthand why improvements to the intersection are necessary.

“I think it’s needed,” she says. “From a safety standpoint, people fly through there.”

The project has been discussed and planned for years, but Allison notes that businesses and ownership along the corridor have changed during that time. She says many businesses believe communication surrounding the current construction and its different phases could have been better.

“We didn’t know until the last minute,” Allison says. “We had the county and the construction company come out. They are doing the right thing, but there could have been a lot more consideration and preparation for the businesses.”

Lake County says the project addresses longstanding safety, traffic and drainage concerns. According to a Sept. 29 county update, nearly 100 crashes have been reported in the project area since 2015. The county has also received requests to address serious flooding and drainage problems.

The current contracted timeline is 640 days and includes the full scope of the project, including utility relocations and construction of the smaller Bay Road roundabout needed for the detour. County officials say 149 days of work have been completed and the contractor remains on schedule.

Lake County Communications Manager Lexie Farmer says motorists were given advance notice that construction and traffic changes were coming.

“Message boards and signage were placed throughout the Eudora Road project area around four weeks before construction began to notify motorists of the upcoming work and traffic impacts,” Lexie says. “Additionally, we held public meetings to discuss the project, anticipated construction and potential impacts.”

Businesses remain accessible during the current phase, she says, although drivers may need to use alternate routes.

The county did not initially install additional signs specifically telling motorists that businesses remained open.

“Business-access signage is typically used when construction occurs directly in front of a business or significantly affects access to its entrance,” Lexie says. “Under the current traffic configuration, access to businesses within the project area has remained available, although motorists may need to use alternate routes due to the closure and detours.”

After businesses raised concerns about reduced visibility, the county responded directly.

“Lake County installed five signs this past weekend to remind motorists that businesses in the construction area remain open,” Lexie says. “These signs will remain in place for the duration of the project.”

A full closure of the Old U.S. Highway 441 and Eudora Road intersection is expected in February 2027 and is anticipated to last about three months. The county says businesses will remain accessible through alternate routes.

Lake County will continue providing project and detour information through its website and social media and says its Office of Economic Development can connect affected businesses with the Small Business Development Center for additional assistance.