Total solar eclipse has potential for business boom around Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Monday’s total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and with that comes the potential for a business boom.
Some central Ohio businesses in the path of totality said they are not sure what to expect just yet.
“All we really can do is kind of just be prepared,” said Jeffrey Krall, the Assistant Vice President of Operations for the Old Bag of Nails Pub.
Hilliard is one of the cities in the path of totality. The city is hosting an eclipse day watch party in the Old Hilliard area. Many businesses say they will be serving eclipse day specials.
A coffee shop NBC4 spoke with will have decorated drinks and bakeries are making eclipse-themed cookies.
Krall said the Old Bag of Nails Pub will have eclipse-themed cocktails and they are even bringing in a local beer from Land-Grant Brewery called “Totality IPA.”
Krall said they’re ready but the question remains: how busy will they be?
“We're not really sure what to expect either," Krall said. "There could be a huge influx. We're not sure if people are going to sit in restaurants all day and hang out."
Mark McGhiey, Senior AVP of Loss Control Services for Nationwide, said business owners should look out for three key things: supply chain and operational needs, employee safety and then property action.
"Do you have enough raw materials, food, inventory for you to do what you need to do?" McGiehy said. "Do you have enough power? Have you talked with the power companies to understand what's going to happen? Have you made a plan if you're a you know, you're a restaurant and you're going to be serving lunch during when this happens, are your customers going to go outside your employees, things like that."
He said it's important to think about employees and what precautions they will need to take. He said to also make a plan if you're allowing them to watch it.
McGhiey said it’s also important to protect your property and keep it clean to make sure people coming in and out do not get hurt.
Krall said they've done their preparations and are now ready for the fun part.
“We might just be swamped all day long and business, you know, falling out the doors or, you know, we're just not really sure what to expect," Krall said. "So, a lot of excitement and kind of just general nervousness."
Experts say it is also a good idea for businesses to connect with law enforcement beforehand to have a plan in place for emergencies.
The event in Hilliard kicks off at 1 p.m. Monday.