The Reality of Snomagedon

The news was poised for action. Talking heads were posted at any location where an accident could be caught live on the Action News cameras. Edwin R. Murrow award winning filler for approximately a week before the snow had a chance to develop.
Environmentalists across the nation were poised - pointer-fingers at the ready and signs of doom painted on feces stained bedsheets ready to flash fishermen and big business. All shouting about the evils of mankind - in particular big business.
Sadly, the news media, the people who point out that we actually have seasons, and Washington DC, went for the most part unscathed as snow from two major strom systems converged on our area.
And what a storm!

I haven't ever shoveled like that and with such veracity!

Small business owners across the region ended up shutting their doors over concerns for the safety and impossible passage. Among those small businesses were the owners of Cafe Kolache in Beaver, PA.

Kristi and I stayed awake throughout the night. We didn't want our bakers to risk crashing or getting stuck in the snow. We thought about opening later in the day, but it just would not have been prudent. Our Saturday evening performance was cancelled. We were even worried about our home, fearing that we might lose power and heat and - well we have a one year old.

The total accumulation after the two storm cells passed through, blanketed up to and beyond the thirties in inches and for most those who spent the first wintry evening shovelling, the next day was not as arduous as it had been for those who waited for the first storm to end.
The total loss - economically at least in the region has been estimated at well over $1 billion dollars in lost revenue. And those numbers sunk in more deeply for small business in the region including Cafe Kolache.

We're still reeling from it. It's going to take some pretty significant traffic to make up for the loss, especially after such a lack luster year. The blizzards and a crappy economy have really hit us pretty hard.

As one can imagine, even hearing the rumors of another snowfall brings a sense of dread to a great many in the region. Much to the dismay of those who need to continue to get to work day in and out - winter is not done with the region.

We can't close again. Even if it means Kristi and I coming in to bake at 3:30 in the morning - we just can not chance it. It's just getting harder. And she keeps telling me to keep my head up, and she's right - after all, we believe that our shop really is a warm hole in the wall where people can congregate. If we can't get there, neither can they, and that is just not an option.

Small business has taken a number of hits, from taxes to minimum wage increases from both local and federal agencies. With the president promising to help small business across the country, many owners are considering the idea yet another terrible storm in an already discontented winter.