Business owners at Frugatti Plaza complain of parking, traffic safety issues

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Two businesses have either closed their doors or changed locations from the Fruggati Plaza in southwest Bakersfield within the last year.

Earlier this week, BurgerIM closed for business without much notice to the public. It's unclear why they closed, but the the long-time owner of Frugatti's says he's seen hundreds of accidents happen in front of his building, and parking can make it tough on other smaller businesses in the plaza.

Many say parking is their main complaint when it comes to running a business in the plaza. Recently a renovation project in the plaza's parking lot eliminated even more parking spots and raised tenant rent.

Some of the businesses say they lack of parking can sometimes hurt business. But since BurgerIM's closure there's been more parking spaces available.

Owners say another reason people may not be visiting as frequently is because it's hard to get into the plaza on coffee road. Frugatti's owner Ralph Fruguglietti says he sees T-bone accidents almost weekly.

"Something like that causes an accident and you know ruins their day, could put them in the hospital. Could be any number of things, and you know, that's, I don't like that," he said.

Now that burgerIM's has closed, it's unclear what business will go in next.