Light-rail line a mixed bag for neighboring businesses

It's common knowledge that business at TRAX has far exceeded expectations. Question is: How has TRAX been for neighboring businesses?

While some companies seem to be chugging right along, thanks in part to Salt Lake County's light-rail system, others have been derailed by hopes that have so far been higher than profits.

Managers of the Apollo Burger thought they had a perfect recipe for success when they opened up a new fast-food restaurant next to the station on 3300 South. And considering TRAX's higher-than-anticipated ridership, that line of thinking seemed sound. But it hasn't exactly turned out that way. Sure, some riders and employees wander the 100 yards to the joint, but the lobby isn't exactly crammed with TRAX traffic.

"It's been terrible for us," lamented a manager, wishing to remain anonymous. "All we get off TRAX is people using our restrooms and wanting free stuff. It's been very surprising for me."

At least Apollo Burger's registers are still ringing up some orders. The same can't be said of another business that saw dollar signs when it opened up near the Ballpark Station by Franklin Covey Field. But the 13th South Stop shop, a mini-market to the west of the rails, didn't stay in business for very long.

"UTA hopes those types of developments can be sustained by communities surrounding them," said UTA spokeswoman Marti Money. "I guess its time just hadn't come."

The Gateway is perhaps the biggest business beneficiary of TRAX. The west-side Salt Lake City shopping haven opened after the system was in place, but being located at the end of the line has made it an attractive destination for many public-transit-using shoppers.

"Activity at the Delta Center station really picked up once The Gateway was built," Money said.

Though a formal study hasn't been conducted by the Crossroads Plaza, the mall's marketing director makes an "educated guess" that TRAX has bolstered business at the downtown shopping center. If nothing else, it gives extra exposure to the store windows and banners.

"We're very glad they're our neighbors," Chris Stanger said. "It has been a very positive experience for the shopping centers (ZCMI Center included). Stand at the doors on Main Street and watch, you'll see people come with bags getting on TRAX. You see them come off TRAX and come into the shopping center."