Few businesses stay open to brave Sunday’s snowstorm
Almost all businesses, public buildings and transportation services were shut down this weekend by the winter storm, with some canceled through Tuesday. However, a handful braved the weather and stayed open.
The customers and employees of the Beacon Hotel in Forward Township didn’t let the 16-20 inches of snow cancel their drinks and meals on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Customers who made it to the business, some by snowmobile, could enjoy beer and hot wings.
“Us renegades, we’ll open for everything. Everyone’s having a good time, that’s what it’s all about,” owner Deborah Krelow said.
In Butler and elsewhere, most residents stayed indoors after stocking up on groceries and other goods in the days before the snow started. Roads were undrivable most of the day Sunday, with little to do and few places open.
At the Beacon, customers showed up on snowmobiles to spend the day eating food, drinking beer and watching football, while taking occasional breaks to ride around in the snow.
“We were so busy. We all basically live within walking distance so we weren’t putting anyone in danger,” Krelow said. “We were busy all day. We had people in and out. They’d order wings and run out and be back in a little later. We had my husband, my son, myself, tending bars so everyone could go out and enjoy the snow.”
The Bonniebrook restaurant, located on Bonniebrook Road in Summit Township, was also open Sunday. Owner Jimi Henry said while they had to focus on delivery due to road conditions preventing customers from traveling, they managed to do decent business.
“Business stayed pretty solid. We made it more delivery focused and having the appropriate vehicles helps with driving in that kind of weather,” Henry said. “We were open to the public, but since people could only get to us with snow mobiles, we mainly stuck with delivery.”
Few stores in the area were open Sunday.
Butler residents were able to go to the DG Market on Main Street. A couple of gas stations, including Sheetz locations, also remained open.
In temperatures around the low teens and snow up to people’s knees, few businesses took advantage of those who either needed to travel or run errands and people who didn’t want to sit around the house all day.
“We got to have our big kid party. We haven’t had that much fun in a while. We don’t get those big snows like we used to,” Krelow said.
