Businesses gear up for solar eclipse

LeFlore County businesses are currently making preparations ahead of expected heavy traffic on April 8, the day of the solar eclipse. The pathway of the total eclipse cuts right through Southeastern Oklahoma, including Poteau, Heavener and Talihina.

The manager at KP’s Quick Mart, Syed Suleman said he is excited at the prospect of the eclipse. He said the store has prepared by ordering additional merchandise.

“We already ordered everything double,” he said. “We are trying to get ready for that event,” Suleman said.

He said the eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and he expects to have a lot of extra customers. He believes that he and his team will handle the additional traffic well, and does not expect any issues. He does not believe the store to run out of anything.

“We are excited,” he said. “I hope if the extra traffic is coming, we will manage, and we will give them the best service,” Suleman said.

Local restaurant Milano’s Italian is usually closed on Mondays, but will be open on April 8 in order to capitalize on the additional traffic in town. Milano’s owners, Mirjeta Kurtaj and Bledar Murtezaj, said they and their team are ready for the extra people and the extra work.

“Our hopes are that we will be busy,” said Kurtaj.

She said she is not worried that they will run out of anything. “We will be prepared,” she said.

Warren Gragg, owner of Dave’s Meat Market, said he doesn’t fully know what to expect on April 8. He said he is stocking up on extra deli meats and snack items like sodas and snacks, and other wise they’ll have to figure it out.

He echoed other business owners, saying that he is not worried about the extra traffic.

“We got what we got,” Gragg said. “We are gonna do the best we can do.”

Dennis Yochum, LeFlore County Emergency Services Manager, agrees that the solar eclipse will be a large boost to the local economy. However, he is concerned about all of the extra traffic.

“My projection for LeFlore County is, I’m expecting somewhere between 15,000 and 40,000 people,” Yochum said.

Travelok.com lists Cavanal Hill as the No. 1 destination to view the eclipse. Talimena State Park/Talimena Scenic Byway, Carl Albert Lake, Winding Stair Recreation Area and Cedar Lake are also listed among the premier viewing sites.

The eclipse event will completely end around 4:40 p.m., said Yochum. That is when he is concerned about traffic issues. He recommends that local people cancel or reschedule doctor appointments they have, especially for older people. He also recommends purchasing items like groceries and extra gas ahead of time, just in case.