Towson Businesses Brace for Hurricane's Impact

As Hurricane Irene approaches, some Towson-area businesses, such as supermarkets, are seeing a rush of customers but others figure that they'll be losing a lot of money over the weekend.

One business operator who anticipates a loss is Hafey Hyle, of Ridgely and Ferrens Market Place on Allegheny Avenue. Hyle stands to take a $1,000 loss this weekend, he said.

Hyle says his weekend business is likely to be hurt because  in anticipation of the approaching storm. That means thousands of students and parents who patronize area bars and restaurants won't be spending their weekend in Towson.

"These people are going to be helter-skelter," he said. "They're probably upset that they're not coming down until Sunday afternoon."

Hyle noted that a sizable percentage of TU's out-of-state students come from New Jersey and New York, areas also in Irene's path.

Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, echoed Hyle. "That really hurts the community," Hafford said of the postponed Towson University move-in.

Hyle plans to stay open through the storm, although he may be the only one working the grill.

"If they come in, I can cook eggs," he said. "They'll just have to wait."

Hafford said Towson businesses are fortunate that the storm is set to hit on Saturday, so Friday foot traffic that's normally generated by the weekly Feet on the Street promotion won't be lost.

She said she spoke with Hyle and he plans to offer $1 hot dogs at the block party tonight for on Thursday from Ocean City.

"It's going to be a nice night tonight," Hafford said.

Meanwhile, at Souris' Saloon, owner Kathy Harden is only hoping the power stays on through the weekend.

"We're battening down all the hatches we can," she said. "If we have electricity and surrounding areas don't, we'll be open and people can come in."

Harden said the power at the bar held out during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, something that couldn't be said for her Towson home.

"We've always been considered a foul weather bar," she said. "If there's a snowstorm or a blizzard, we're open no matter what."

Harden said she hasn't decided if there will be any drink specials during or after the storm.

"I'm sure we'll have some type of hurricane shooter. I'm not sure what we're going to name it. Hopefully it'll have a powerful punch," she said, before clarifying, "the drink."