Snowy sidewalks keep Center Moriches businesses closed

Most businesses along Main Street in Center Moriches were closed Wednesday morning. The roads weren’t the problem -- they were mostly clear. The sidewalks, however, have snow piled high.

Among the few businesses open was the Country Cottage Diner, where waitress Petra Lizama was serving breakfast to three customers.

Lizama, who lives in Shirley, said she opened the diner at 6 a.m. and had no problem driving to work.

“This time they really got up early and cleaned,” Lizama said. “It was nice.”

She said her boss hires someone to clear the diner's sidewalks after the snowstorms.

“You have to think about the guys cleaning. Where are they going to eat?” she said to customer John Roth of Center Moriches, who ordered two eggs over-medium and rye toast.

Roth said he wasn’t able to get off this block last year for three days after one of the big snowstorms.

“This morning was quick. I got out of there in no time,” he said.

Petra Lizama, a waitress at the Country Cottage Diner in Center Moriches, serves up breakfast to John Roth. (Jan. 12, 2011)