2:20 p.m. - Several local business owners will meet this weekend to discuss how Highway 321’s construction closures are affecting business in downtown Blowing Rock.

Local attorney and owner of Glidewell’s Restaurant, Powell Glidewell, is one of these concerned business owners.

Glidewell said when the DOT closes Highway 321 south of Blowing Rock it keeps many day-trippers from making the drive up the mountain.  He said there’s about a 50 percent increase in his sales from Tuesday to Wednesday and the only difference is that the highway is closed on Tuesday.

While the business owners want the highway to be completed, Glidewell said closing the road on Thursdays is the main concern.

Glidewell said business owners fear the Thursday closures on Highway 321 will have a huge impact on weekend business because many visitors take Fridays off from work and come up the mountain on Thursday afternoons.

Blowing Rock business owners will meet on Sunday evening at 5:30 at Crippens Restaurant on Sunset Drive.