LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Saturday marks five months since a UPS plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing 15 people, including three pilots.
Some businesses near the crash site are shutting down, while others are relocating. A few remain open but are barely holding on and say they have received no support.
Stooges Bar and Grill owner Debbie Self said she is dealing with frustration and uncertainty.
“I honestly could sit and tell you I don’t know where this is going to go,” Self said. “I gotta take it one day at a time. One things for sure UPS doesn’t care.”
Rebuilding after the crash has been costly. The bar and grill still has exposed ceilings, and Self said she is covering all expenses herself.
“I’m paying out of my pocket,” Self said. “Once they finish all the duck work, I’ll have to turn the AC on, that’ll run me five grand a month.”
The process has also taken an emotional toll on her.
“I’m pretty bitter,” Self said. “It’s not right,” Self said. “I’m sorry. It’s just not right, and I hope they have to pay the penalty for this.”
UPS set up a resource center after the crash, but five months later, Self said she has not received any financial help or support.
“I went down to the resource center twice to ask for help just for the utilities and that’s been 3 to 4 months, and I haven’t heard back from them. I’m not expecting anything from anybody.”
Sharon Moyer of TT Repairs said her business has also not received assistance. The company handles on-the-ground aircraft repairs and has contracts with UPS.
“Nobody has reached out or anything like that,” Moyer said. “UPS did email us in the beginning and tell us to reach out, but there’s a lot of red tape to go through that so it’s always difficult to get a hold of them.”
TT Repairs is now relocating after learning its building is being sold. The business has operated at its current location for about 30 years.
Moyer said they will face higher rent at the new location.
She added that planes frequently fly overhead, and the experience has changed how she feels about it.
“Prior to the crash, it was white noise. Now it’s not. It’s the fear of will the sky come crashing down,” Moyer said.
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