Newport gas outages impacting businesses

January 23, 2019 1:08 am

By Jordan Mazza

NEWPORT, RI (WLNE) — Out of natural gas and out of luck: that’s the case for several businesses in Newport.

“Today we’re just trying to keep pipes from freezing,” said Charlie Holder, manager of the Midtown Oyster Bar. “That’s the biggest thing. Just trying to get everything set up. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll be able to open up again, limited menu.”

Holder says a gas outage during a cold snap is bad timing, but he’s trying to look on the bright side.

“From a business standpoint, this is normally a slow time of year,” he said. “We’re not talking July and August.”

But that’s no consolation for customers who had reservations tonight.

Not every business in town is closed, though.

At Pepper Palace, the sauces are hot — but the room, not so much.

“This is the only source of heat I’ve got going for me right now, for the business,” said employee Tanner Morse, holding up a small space heater.

And business Tuesday was slow.

Morse says even with the potential for a week without heat, they are playing it by ear.

“For now, we’re just trying to stay open,” Morse said. “Make the most of it.”

Playing it by ear seems to be the theme, and some businesses are optimistic conditions will improve in the next day or two. But the Newport Bay Club Hotel is without heat, and says they’re not taking reservations for the next week.