Bethesda businesses say they are losing business due to nearby Marriott headquarters construction

BETHESDA, Md. - Construction is booming in Bethesda, but some businesses along a busy stretch of Woodmont Avenue said the construction of the new Marriott headquarters and hotel is taking a major toll on their bottom lines.

Tastee Diner been serving up pancakes, burgers and everything in between for several decades. However, the restaurant said business has been suffering during the daytime, losing about a $1,000 to $1,500 a day, because of the construction that started in July.

For the past three weeks, Tastee Diner manager Beth Cox said all of the parking spots outside of the diner have been blocked off just about every day and has affected their business greatly.

It has been so slow that Cox said she has had to let employees go home early from their shifts and she is afraid she may lose workers.

"I have a lot of elderly customers that won't park in the garage across the street because it's too far to walk and it's like a war zone around here," said Cox. "There's so much construction on both sides of us that it's very difficult to even navigate walking … We have been here for 83 years. We're not against progress. We're happy Marriott is coming here, but we all matter. They project themselves to be a good neighbor and good for the community and I feel like they are not starting off that way as much as they could."

Other businesses in the area have felt their business suffer as well.

The Marriott project is not expected to wrap up until 2022. FOX 5 contacted Marriott on Friday and were waiting for an official statement from them.

Another building project in downtown Bethesda called The Wilson and The Elm is also underway not far away from here on Wisconsin Avenue. This 23-story office tower will be the future home of FOX 5.