Businesses along Grand River Avenue experienced an influx of Michigan State University students seeking refuge during a campus-wide power outage on Saturday. Many popular spots, like Foxtail Coffee, reached maximum capacity as students looked for places to work and hang out amidst the disruption.
The outage, caused by a failure at the T.B. Simon Power Plant, resulted in multiple dining hall closures and adapted menus, pushing students towards local businesses for food and comfort. Freshman Moriah Campbell noted the challenges of delayed food deliveries and limited campus resources, while Auntie Anne’s employees enthusiastically reported an unexpected surge in customers.
Despite the chaos, some establishments had anticipated a dinner rush, managing to keep operations smooth. Overall, the power outage not only affected the campus community but also brought business opportunities for local eateries, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of both students and businesses in the face of unexpected events.