Business help for papal visit is on the way

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 Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter discuses  plans for Pope Francis' scheduled visit to the city. (AP photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter discuses plans for Pope Francis' scheduled visit to the city. (AP photo/Matt Rourke)

The late-September visit of Pope Francis has a lot of Philadelphia businesses worried about how — and if — they’ll be able to operate that weekend amid traffic restrictions.

 Mayor Michael Nutter, who said he’s aware of those worries, said the city will try to help businesses stay open with a hotline debuting Monday.

“The papal visit resource center sponsored by the city’s commerce department will be available on the city’s website.  There will be information, maps and a Q-and-A document that attempts to answer many of the questions local business owners have been asking,” Nutter said.

Still, just as in a weather emergency, Nutter advised business owners to prepare for several days without being about to get supplies.

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“Try if you can to get your final deliveries on Friday so that you are well stocked for the weekend and Monday,” Nutter suggested. “We are also working on a plan for limited deliveries to occur overnight on Saturday into the early hours of Sunday morning.”

The mayor added those deliveries might not be up to the door.

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