Cambridge cafe owner fears 3 years of city construction may force him to close: "I'm really bankrupt"

The owner of a cafe in Cambridge, Massachusetts said construction work outside his shop has been going on for more than three years now and it could put him out of business.

Mohammed Khaled Seffo, the owner of Chateau Blanc Cafe, has been in Central Square for more than 20 years. His spot was a originally a Syrian restaurant, but due to rising costs after COVID, he converted it into an ice cream shop and cafe. Khaled Seffo has been battling the construction since he reopened. The work goes right up to his doorstep.

"As we were opening, the construction was going crazy. It like a war zone almost," he told WBZ-TV. "People just wanted to see where they can walk, never mind looking at the shops."

River Street near Mass. Ave. is being overhauled from the utilities to the sidewalks. It will also include new bike lanes and green spaces. But, the city admits the project is a full year behind schedule, due to numerous complications from working with utilities that are more than 100 years old.

"People have no interest coming here. Who wants to hang out here in the middle of construction," Khaled Seffo said. "Walking out here with an ice cream cone, and you got dust blowing in there? Who would want to come back in here?"

Khaled Seffo said there's also the smell of gas and burning machinery outside. He had to adjust the shop's hours to compensate for the work. It's now open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. to start after construction workers go home. 

The construction has kept him from putting tables outside for guests. It's pushed employees to quit for a lack of customers, and he believes it's going to hurt him from taking advantage of World Cup crowds in June and July.  

"I'm bankrupt, I'm really bankrupt, I've been waiting for this business to launch and get going for almost a year-and-a-half now," said Khaled Seffo.

The city said the work near the square is now expected to be done by the end of the summer and the rest of the work on River Street by the end of the year. Khaled Seffo wants the city should compensate him for the pain.

"Grant you something besides this, so you can at least continue this business," he said.

Khaled Seffo said he has already seen one restaurant open and close because of the construction. The hope is that he isn't next.