ICY BUSINESSES

By Kristen Watson

When snow and ice roll in to most towns in Texas, the entire town shuts down. In downtown Denton, it is an entirely different story. With the majority of shops and restaurants choosing to remain open, including local favorites J&J’s Pizza and West Oak Coffee, Denton is a haven for those who love to explore the winter wonderland but also want something fresh and hot. 

Jeremy Ottens, a barista at West Oak Coffee, had to work during both ice days but felt it was a good business decision for the shop.

“Yesterday we were only open from 1:30-6:30,” Ottens said. “I think what ended up happening is that they said there was a lot of people during that little trial period of time like our place filled up and so honestly people just wanted coffee So, they decided to go ahead and open and I mean it’s pretty evident they want to be here so I think it was a good decision.”

Carlee Niemeyer and Dafne Rojas were just two of the many customers who braved the snow and ice to snag a table at West Oak on Tuesday afternoon.

Niemeyer and Rojas both complained of cabin fever, thus their trek to the downtown area in search of a place to study.

Niemeyer was “really glad that the coffee shop [was] open so that [they] could come” but felt that businesses should take into consideration how far a worker must travel to work before deciding to remain open or not.

The packed house at West Oak buzzed with life and coffee grinders as the world outside remained frozen.

A few doors down, J&J’s Pizza’s open sign was also glowing bright.

 

Daniel Villanueva, an employee of J&J’s Pizza was working the storefront on that frozen Tuesday, although he had no say in whether or not the store opened.

“Our owner Jamie Ham decided. He’s been here for awhile so he knows that people kind of wander on the square just to see what businesses are open,” Villanueva said.

Mostly groups of friends and families came in to J&J’s for some hot pizza and some even came just for a warm place to play chess.

 

Laura Drapac was sitting with Ron Lechler as she told him the story of her falling on the ice, even though she is from Ohio, where weather like this is quite common.

“I slipped down the stairs at my house,” Drapac said. “Even being from someplace that this normally happens, you still know something stupid is going to happen. So, just be as careful as you can and go enjoy yourself.”