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City Officials To Meet With Business Owners To Discuss Pope Security Fears

By David Spunt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia city officials will soon meet with business owners to calm any fears that come along with Pope Francis' visit the final weekend in September.

Last week, Mayor Michael Nutter announced a traffic box security perimeter around the city. Many business owners, especially those in the food industry, worry they may have problems serving their customers.

"Too much high security for us to come in, and our customers to come in and just get the deliveries out," Animo Juice manager Corrin Dennis told Eyewitness News.

READ: Complete CBS Philly Papal Visit 2015 Coverage

Dennis admits closing for the weekend is taking a risk, but it's one she is willing to take.

"It could be a lot of business, but we really don't know," Dennis said.

Eyewitness News learned city officials will meet with businesses in the coming days. Mayor Michael Nutter confirmed the meeting, but declined to give specifics.

"Of course we want businesses to be open," Nutter told Eyewitness News.

Nutter admitted the weekend will bring an inconvenience to many businesses, but stressed that city officials will continue to work with business leaders.

"Each business could be affected in a different way from virtually no impact to a significant amount of impact. It's really a function of where you are, what you do," he said.

When Corrin Dennis learned about the meeting, she admitted she may decide to stay open.

"If he (Nutter) probably gives out a nice motivating speech for us to keep open, then we'll be open," she said.

KYW Newsradio is reporting there will be two events. The first will be a press briefing later this week that will help businesses prepare and the second will include a face to face session with city officials and business owners.

 

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