Winter Blast Leaves Local Businesses Dealing with Financial Hardships
When the mercury plummets and the snow starts to fall, it’s not just homeowners who feel the chill. Local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality industry, often bear the brunt of extreme winter weather.
Springfield, known for its rich history and vibrant downtown, is no exception. The recent winter weather emergency left a trail of destruction in its wake, leaving many businesses struggling to pick up the pieces and recoup their losses.
The Pasfield House: A Historic Gem in Distress
The Pasfield House, a stately Victorian mansion turned boutique hotel and event space, stands as a testament to Springfield’s architectural heritage. But the recent winter blast dealt a cruel blow to this beloved landmark.
Frozen pipes burst within the walls, causing extensive water damage to the hardwood floors and ceiling structure. The incident forced the cancellation of all future bookings, leaving the business reeling from the financial impact.
Repairs are estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars, and despite insurance coverage, the Pasfield House is left with a significant deductible to cover. To help offset the expenses, the community has rallied around the historic hotel, setting up a GoFundMe page to raise funds.
The Wakery: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The Wakery, a popular nightlife establishment known for its eclectic atmosphere and live music, faced its own set of challenges during the winter storm.
The establishment’s refrigerator stock exploded, causing extensive damage and forcing the business to operate with a limited bar. Undeterred, founder Elizabeth Wake quickly pivoted, hosting a Golden Girls-themed night to drum up business.
Wake also reached out to other businesses in the area, securing offers to store cold items in their fridges. The Wakery not only continued all of its scheduled events but also took on additional bookings to assist The Pasfield House in hosting a baby shower, demonstrating the resilience and camaraderie that exists within the local business community.
Nami Poke: Dodging the Worst, but Still Feeling the Chill
Nami Poke, a locally-owned poke build-a-bowl and sushi restaurant, was fortunate to avoid a burst pipe, but the extreme cold still took its toll.
The business was forced to close for one day due to the weather conditions, losing valuable revenue. However, the pipes eventually thawed out, and Nami Poke was able to reopen the following day, albeit with limited operations.
Toasty Subs: A Move in the Works, Accelerated by Disaster
Toasty Subs, a popular sandwich shop known for its mouthwatering creations, suffered severe water damage from a burst pipe.
The incident forced the closure of the store for the rest of the month, leaving owners Nav Singh and Joe Ryan to scramble for a solution. Fortunately, they had already been planning to relocate the business, and the disaster accelerated their move to a new location at 2120 S. MacArthur Blvd.
The new Toasty Subs is expected to open in early February, giving the business a fresh start and an opportunity to rebuild after the winter storm’s devastation.
Conclusion: Resilience and Community in the Face of Adversity
The recent winter blast has had a significant impact on local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality industry. The Pasfield House, The Wakery, Nami Poke, and Toasty Subs have all experienced financial losses and disruptions to their operations due to the extreme weather conditions.
These businesses are resilient and are taking steps to recover and rebuild, but the financial burden of the repairs and the loss of revenue will likely be felt for some time. The community has rallied around these establishments, offering support and patronage to help them weather the storm.
As Springfield rebuilds, it’s clear that the spirit of resilience and community will play a vital role in helping local businesses bounce back stronger than ever.