Storm trouble for Kings Park businesses

Coffee was served by candlelight yesterday Monday at Edelweiss Delicatessen in Kings Park — not for ambiance but out of necessity.

While most of the hamlet’s business district was a virtual ghost town after Irene knocked out power to just about the entire community, Dave Hennings lit a pair of candles and opened his otherwise dark deli. His was one of the few Main Street businesses open.

Hennings had to throw out his meats and estimated he lost “a couple thousand” dollars’ worth of business. But he was able to make egg sandwiches and coffee with a gas-powered stove and grill. “I’m doing what I barely can,” Hennings said.

Anthony Mirando Jr. decided to open his Main Street food businesses, Magic Sauce and Triple Crown Foods, even though he had no power and no cellphone service. The stores’ land lines were still working.

“We have an old, old, old, old princess telephone,” said Jane Smith, who works at the store.

Above: Jim Thoms installs a sign on his front property on Pulaski Road in Kings Park.