Downtown Beaufort Faces Internet Chaos: Businesses Adapt to Outage
Beaufort, SC – Despite a significant internet outage that wreaked havoc on the start of the week for many, businesses in downtown Beaufort displayed remarkable resilience and adaptability. It was a day when the usual hustle and bustle of the local districts met unexpected challenges, all due to a disruption caused by unintentional damage to a fiber cable.
Morning Disruption
Just after 11 a.m. on Monday, thousands of customers of Sparklight, formerly known as Hargray, found themselves cut off from the internet. As clock hands ticked toward noon, the situation showed no signs of improving. By 5 p.m., technicians were still working hard to restore the service, reassuring the public through social media that they were tackling the issue as quickly and safely as possible.
Cash-Only Business Models Emerge
Down on the ever-bustling Bay Street, businesses quickly adapted to the circumstances. Many shops displayed prominent “cash only” signs on their doors, signaling to customers that traditional payment methods were temporarily unavailable. Customers, caught without their usual credit cards or mobile payment methods, resorted to digging through wallets and pockets, rummaging for coins and bills.
Amber Godowins, the owner of Lowcountry Stitch, a custom embroidery shop, managed to remain somewhat unscathed thanks to their payment processing system, Clover. “We can still accept credit card payments, but only once connectivity returns,” she explained. Unfortunately, the service outage halted their production line as many designs were stored online and inaccessible at the moment.
Ice Cream Saves the Day
Across the street, the heat of the day contrasted sharply with the chaos caused by the outage at YoYo’s Ice Cream. A group of determined moms gathered around with coins and communicated in whispers to ensure they could enjoy their frozen treats. “Hope and pray,” one exclaimed as she counted out her quarters. The store operator, Jessica Eddy, kept track of each cash transaction in a large, well-organized binder. “We’ve been doing everything by the book – literally,” she said, reflecting the quirky charm of a challenging situation.
Facing the Issues Head On
At The Rustic Pup, a cozy pet supply store, the mood was equally light-hearted, despite being another victim of the internet outage. Employee Susan McDowell remarked on how customers have been understanding of their temporary “cash only” policy. “I remind customers when they arrive, and they’ve been so kind about it. But it is an inconvenience,” she admitted.
Even Starbucks, a popular haven for remote workers in the area, felt the heat. Usually buzzing with the sounds of laptops and chatter, it found itself full of customers relying on their phones’ hotspots to get their work done. Amid the flickers of frustration, a lovely sense of community emerged. Individuals shared their hotspots, allowing others to complete assignments or send messages they otherwise couldn’t. “It’s funny how we come for WiFi and leave with new friends,” one customer shared with a smile.
Community Spirit Shines
Many locals took the disruption in stride, joking about their wild goose chases for a signal. Such shared experiences ignited conversations and led to warm laughter around tables. As quirky as it might seem, this unusual day forged connections within the community as they faced the challenges together.
As evening fell, the hopeful expectation lingered that the internet service would soon return, providing the backdrop for daily lives to resume their natural rhythm. In the meantime, the spirits remained high, and the community’s camaraderie shone bright like a lighthouse on a dark night.
