COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Monday's total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the potential business boom that comes with it.
Some central Ohio businesses on the path to completion said they still don't know what will happen.
“All we can do is be prepared,” said Jeffrey Krall, vice president of operations at Old Bag of Nails Pub.
Hilliard is one of those cities on the path to wholeness. The city is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party in the Old Hilliard neighborhood. Many businesses say they will offer special menus on eclipse days.
Coffee shops interviewed by NBC4 will be serving decorated drinks, and bakeries will be making eclipse-themed cookies.
Krall said Old Bag of Nails Pub will feature eclipse-themed cocktails, as well as a craft beer called Totality IPA from Land Grant Brewery.
Krall said he's ready, but questions remain about how busy it will be.
“We also have no idea what's going to happen,” Krall said. “There could be a huge influx. We don't know if people are going to sit in restaurants all day and hang out.”
Mark McGee, senior AVP of loss control services at Nationwide, said business owners need to be aware of three important things. It's about supply chain and business needs, employee safety, and property.
“Do we have enough raw materials, food and inventory to do what needs to be done?” McGee said. “Do we have enough power? Have you talked to your power company to understand what's going to happen? If you're a restaurant and plan to serve lunch when something like this happens, Are the customers going to be out of the workforce, have you made any plans for something like that?”
He said it was important to think about employees and what precautions they needed to take. If you're going to allow viewings, make sure you have a plan, too, he said.
McGee said it's also important to protect your property and keep it clean so people coming in and out don't get hurt.
Krall said the preparations are complete and ready for the fun part.
“We might just be at work all day, or, you know, it might just fall out the door, or we just don't really know what's going to happen,” Krall said. “So I'm very excited and just nervous overall.”
Experts say it's also a good idea for businesses to contact law enforcement in advance and have emergency plans in place.
The event at Hilliard kicks off Monday at 1 p.m.
