Some East Dallas businesses are urging their customers to keep finding them amid an Oncor electrical construction project that has closed parts of a busy street and cut off parking, businesses say. When you step inside Benny’s Bagels, manager Zuzy Sanchez says a lot of faces are long-time regul ars of an East Dallas staple for three decades near Skillman Street and La Vista Drive. “It’s a community shop, so you know all the customers,” Sanchez said. But for the last three weeks, Sanchez adds, customers’ journey to get inside has been less than direct. “(Customers) park far or just keep going around until they find a parking spot,” Sanchez said. “It’s been kind of crazy around here, yeah.” What used to be streetside parking, overtaken now by Oncor construction equipment, including in front of Juju’s Coffee, whose owners called it a “logistical nightmare” to our partners at the Dallas Morning News. Oncor says the work relates to the installation of “underground electrical facilities along La Vista Drive to improve the long-term reliability of electric service” in what it calls a growing area of east Dallas. “Oncor recognizes construction may create inconveniences for local businesses and customers, and we appreciate their patience as this work continues,” spokesperson Roxana Rubio said. Oncor also has detour signs to help direct customers and says it is in regular contact with affected businesses. Drew Stephenson considers himself new to craft coffee and says he is intentional about supporting small businesses, especially after Juju’s put out the call for help for customer support during construction. “It’s been a little more difficult [to get to], but I think, you know, putting in the effort of walking an extra block and park a little further away is something the customers have shown they really value,” Stephenson said. Oncor says the work that started July 20 is expected to be completed in six weeks. “Hopefully, they finish this faster,” Sanchez said. ...read more read less