Historic Snowstorm Hits Kansas Businesses Hard

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A historic snowstorm, one of the worst in nearly a century, has forced many businesses in Kansas to close their doors for several days, causing significant financial strain. The storm, which began on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, brought heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, leading to the closure of state highways and disrupting daily life across the region.

“I’m just going to cut to the chase with you guys, this snow has been disastrous for us,” said Seth Wagoner, Chief Executive Officer of several downtown businesses, including Free State Brewery. Wagoner highlighted the financial impact, noting that sales plummeted from a typical $10,000 on a Saturday to just $2,200 due to the weather. “You’re paying bills from your busiest month of the year in December in January, and you don’t have that income coming in. It’s tough,” he added.

Across the Kansas River, the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District faced similar challenges. Pedro Concepcion, CEO of the district, explained that many small, mom-and-pop shops rely on daily customer traffic. “Closing one to two days can be hard for them,” Concepcion said. Despite the difficulties, most businesses have since reopened, with Wagoner reporting a 65% recovery in performance by Monday, Jan. 6.

In Lawrence, Free State Brewery owner Chuck Magerl was among those clearing snow and ice from sidewalks. Magerl decided to keep the brewery closed on Monday due to supply chain disruptions and employee travel difficulties. “Between suppliers not being able to reach downtown and employees having difficulties getting to work, it didn’t make much sense to open Monday,” Magerl said. He hoped to resume operations by Tuesday.

The storm also necessitated extensive snow removal efforts. City crews worked tirelessly to clear Massachusetts Street, using heavy equipment to transport snow to North Lawrence near the Kansas River. The storm’s impact was felt across the state, with many services shut down and highways closed.

Despite the challenges, business owners remain optimistic. “Yesterday was the best time I would say that the business owners started to open,” Concepcion noted. “They’re all working very hard to make sure they can provide their customers a great experience.”