RUDY, Ark. — The April 8 total solar eclipse is expected to bring many visitors to 5COUNTRY. As state agencies gear up to handle the influx of people, Arkansas businesses are doing the same.
With thousands expected to travel to areas in the eclipse’s path of totality, the Workman’s Travel Center in Rudy is preparing for the crowd.
"We have gotten in touch with our gas distributor to make sure that we will have plenty of fuel in our tanks,” Stephanie Lamproe, convenience manager at Workman’s said.
With thousands of tourists heading to and from their eclipse viewing location, making sure it has ample gas is top of mind for Lamproe and the staff at Workman’s.
Lamproe says that monitoring systems automatically tell their fuel distributor how much fuel is left in their tanks at all times.
"As soon as it looks like we're getting low, they'll bring us a shipment automatically,” Lamproe said. “We have very good communication with them."
Gas is not the only thing Workman’s is making sure to have plenty of. The travel center is also adding additional goods such as paper supplies, cleaning agents and groceries.
Workman’s Travel Center has a 24-hour restaurant and a deli on site. Lamproe said she has already talked with her food supplier to make sure those are both stocked as well.
"They are expecting to have everything on hand for us to be able to order up on those days,” Lamproe said. “We have backup freezers and such like that so we can store everything and be prepared in case it is a huge influx of visitors like we're planning on."
Lamproe adds that she will be working a long shift on the day of the eclipse, just to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“It'll be a long day, for sure,” Lamproe said. “It'll be all hands on deck.”
Despite the busy day she’s expecting, Lamproe said she will still make time to go outside and enjoy the event.
"I'm sure we will,” Lamproe said. “We're selling solar eclipse glasses here, and I think we've all got a pair."
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