NORTH MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – Businesses have had to adapt ever since construction began at the intersection of Belgrade Avenue and Range Street this spring.

Kaitlynn Steele, business and marketing director at Brennan Companies, says that specializing in real estate and construction, her company knows that big projects like the Belgrade Avenue Reconstruction and Veteran’s Memorial Bridge Project are necessary, but they can have a big impact on local businesses.

Beans Coffee House reported a 20 percent drop in business when construction began, to help limit those kinds of impacts Steele says Brennan has been pushing for a new social media campaign to encourage the community to continue shopping local.

“These are the businesses that support other businesses in our community and in a place like Mankato everybody is interconnected,” Steele said.

To help support that community Steele says shoppers can take a picture when shopping at local businesses,, and post it online with #SupportLocal and tagging the Downtown Partnerships Group to show support and encourages others to shop at affected businesses.

While Dino’s Pizzeria hasn’t been nearly as affected as other businesses due to its regulars and some new delivery and takeout deals, Shelby Mallard, the general manager, says she thinks the trend is a good idea.

“Shop local, support local, that’s where you’re going to get the good food and all the great ingredients,” Mallard said.

When Belgrade closed for construction she says the restaurant had to adapt to keep customers coming in, redirecting them to come in through its back parking lot, and keeping regulars updated via social media about how they’d be affected.

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