What’s open in North Texas? Winter weather causes business closures, empty shelves

DALLAS - For people without power and a dwindling food supply, Tuesday was time to venture out onto the roads in search of something to eat.

The big grocery store chains like Tom Thumb, HEB-Central Market and Kroger all said they’re doing their best with limited stock and staff.

A Kroger spokeswoman says 15 stores of 109 in the region are closed.

"We do have backup generators for all stores, but those are being impacted as well because of the rolling blackouts," said April Martin, Corporate Affairs Manager, Kroger, Dallas division.

Martin said Kroger is operating with less than half of its usual staff, trying to make showing up as easy as possible.

"We have offered for them to be able to work at the local Kroger that’s close to where they live," Martin said.

At HEB and Central Market stores, a spokeswoman said the stores that are easiest for trucks to get to have the most stock. They too are trying to reduce the employee commute.

"We do have some stores where we’ve been able to put our staff in nearby hotels to allow them to get into the store, which has been helpful," said Mabrie Jackson, Director of Public Affairs, Central Market-HEB

Tom Thumb said about 25 percent of its stores unable to open.

On Tuesday morning at Interstate 30 and Cockrell Hill Road, a Walmart was open but many surrounding businesses closed. One business in particular was in need -- a gas station near the Walmart had plenty of drivers showing up in a search for a place to fuel up.

"This is the fourth time that we've tried to check the gas stations and they're all closed. The signs may say open but they're closed. Check the parking lot first. Visual is key," Efren Gallegos said.

Inside the I-30 Walmart, a FOX4 reporter found meat nearly all gone and many produce shelves empty. As of Tuesday morning, they were stocked up on dry goods and bread.

Places stocked with groceries are coming in handy for those sitting in the dark, but fortunate enough to cook a warm meal. Others not so much.

Many of those people are heading to places like Piggie Pies pizza, one of the only places open on Greenville Avenue in Dallas. It’s also operating with only half of its staff, but has no plan to slow down or close down.

"Floods, tornadoes, snow storms, we don’t shut down here," an employee said.

But many other North Texas restaurants have also closed due to the weather. Some say it’s because of a lack of customers while others said it was too dangerous to have their staff drive in.

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