SHAVER LAKE, Calif. (KFSN) — Mountain communities, including Shaver Lake, have seen feet of snow since the onset of the winter storm, with scenes that welcome tourists while hampering small businesses.
Snow in Shaver equates to spending at small businesses. When the snow began falling on Monday, businesses closed, from lodging to grocery stores.
“We drove right past the supermarket, came up to find that the rest of the markets were closed,” said Dax Farhang, who came to Shaver Lake with his two daughters from San Jose. The family enjoyed sledding in the fresh powder.
Patrick Brown and his family traveled from Marin County on Monday for a snow stay in Shaver this week.
“This is our first time to Shaver Lake and it’s a wonderful, wonderful place. We’ll be back…when the weather’s better,” said Brown.
Steady snowfall knocked out power during their inaugural stay but not darkening their outlook.
“Between the fireplace and the blankets, that’s how we’re staying warm, so again, you know, we’re real lucky,” said Brown.
The Brown’s experience shared by others in Shaver this week.
“The cabin is snowed in; the power went out last night. We spent the night with candles, we have a woodstove, so it was still fun and we’re enjoying it. It’s great,” said Farhang.
One business whose lights never flickered and never shut its doors was Shaver Lake Pizza. It has seen a steady flow of foot traffic from both tourists and locals alike since the snow began falling at the beginning of the week.
However, other small businesses, such as nearby lodges, were forced to close.
The driveway outside the Elliott House Boutique Inn in Shaver Lake was covered with up to 6 feet of snow outside its cabins.
Ryan Hill has been the owner of Elliott House for two years and says his small business is accustomed to the snow but says this week’s snowfall came down hard and fast.
“We’re used to having deep snows here, but it really came pretty hard and fast,” said Hill.
The 5-room inn lost power on Tuesday, resulting in the owner losing guests. Hill decided to turn away guests on Wednesday night.
“With our fluctuating power and the snow removal challenges, but mostly the power. I can’t have guests in a place that can’t be heated,” said Hill.
Eliott House says it plans to reopen Thursday with power fully restored, hoping to welcome guests to the inn.
Click here for the video story, from ABC 30.
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