The Youngstown - Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce is encouraging customers to support Youngstown businesses while they struggle with downtown construction. 

"The biggest concern is that during construction it's very inconvenient for people to get here and patronize our members," Guy Coviello, President and CEO of the Warren-Youngstown Regional Chamber said. 

Since the initial closure of West Federal St. this spring, customers have had to take some detours when getting around downtown. 

One customer said the biggest issue was parking. There is no street parking available in front of many West Federal St. businesses due to the closure. 

"We had to go kind of around YSU and then we had to kind of search for a parking spot near Boardman St.," Lee Boyle said. 

Boyle said that even though it was more difficult to get around, the downtown businesses still made it worth it. He likes the food and occasional live entertainment. 

"Downtown, I always have hope for. I'll never stop coming here, It's a great place," Boyle said.

Sidewalks are still open to foot traffic. 

Coviello from the Chamber of Commerce said, for business owners, with the redevelopment project in mind, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel. 

"At the end of it I think the impact will be very positive," Coviello said, "We just have to make sure our businesses are still here when we get to the end of it."