As Central Texas gears up for a celestial showstopper on April 8, the total solar eclipse is causing quite the buzz in the local business circuit. The City of Kyle is prepping its businesses for a possible influx of a staggering one million eclipse chasers, looking to catch the rare event in all its glory. The city is facing the dual challenge of ensuring that establishments like Texas Pie Company are stocked and ready for the horde, and the high probability of traffic jams mirroring the massive gridlock Oregon experienced during the 2017 solar eclipse, as reported by CBS Austin.
Julie Snyder, President of the Kyle Chamber of Commerce, stated, "We believe that it’s going to impact the economy in a positive way as long as [business owners] are prepared." Plans are afoot, as solar eclipse eyewear becomes the accessory of choice, and specialty eclipse pies are poised to sweeten the deal for local businesses, according to KXAN.
The Great American Eclipse model pinpoints Texas as a prime destination, predicting the Texas State could see between 270,000 to 1,080,000 visitors. It's a turnout that might, eclipse previous records, considering the varied estimates of an overall 3.7 million people trekking across the U.S. to catch the eclipse. Owners like Julie Albertson from Texas Pie Company are getting ready to serve a deluge of customers, saying "I may have to come up with an eclipse pie for that day," as per CBS Austin.
As April 8 looms, locals and businesses in Kyle, San Marcos, and Dripping Springs look forward to a little over a minute and a half of totality in Austin, and approximately four minutes in the Hill Country. Hopes are high that clear skies will prevail, allowing both celestial phenomena enthusiasts and businesses to fully experience and benefit from the total solar eclipse of 2024.
