Downtown Herndon Businesses Faring Well During Storm-Recovery Efforts

Since Friday night's derecho storms, many area residents without power have been seeking air conditioning where they can find it—including at Herndon's downtown businesses. 

Enda Browne was working Sunday afternoon at in downtown Herndon. He said O'Sullivan's Arlington location had lost power, so all the restaurant's food was brought to the Herndon location. 

Browne said the weekend was "crazy busy" and the restaurant was filled with unfamiliar faces, as well as a few regulars, all trying to beat the heat and watch some soccer. He said a few customers even asked if they could bring food to store in the restaurant's refrigerators—but they're all full. 

Herndon resident Cesar del Aguila was at O'Sullivan's watching Spain play Italy. He said the residents of Fortnightly Square, across from the Herndon Fortnightly Library, didn't lose power, though during a stop at the Herndon AutoZone on Saturday the store didn't have working registers. 

Christi Helsel said was slammed on Saturday. She said the restaurant was full of people who didn't have power. Tim Mears said many customers were charging their phones and other devices that they couldn't charge at home. 

Staff at said the salon never lost power, but many customers had and were thankful to come into the air conditioning for services. 

Employees at the downtown location said the store was without power on Saturday and all the premade ice cream cakes and frozen treats in the coolers had to be tossed. 

staff said the pool was busy throughout the weekend with people looking to cool off. 

How are you staying cool in the heat? Does your neighborhood have power? Tell us in the comments. 

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