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Community Corner

Heat Takes Its Toll on Downtown

Residents, workers try to keep cool any way they can.

North Main Street in Port Chester was only a few people short of a ghost town Friday.

Both customers and employees of local businesses were affected by the intense heat that has gripped the region. 

For local bakery and cafe The Kneaded Bread, more sales were made on refreshing items rather than on decadent desserts. Many customers did not want to make the trek to the bakery in the hot weather, and instead ordered deliveries. Fernando, the manager of the Kneaded Bread, said that employees were less conscious of the heat when handling customers. “When it’s quiet, though, we think, ‘Oh my God! It’s hot!’” he laughed. 

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Another business owner, Hector Soto, of Feingod Hardware, described the day as “tough”, saying he was “lucky I got air conditioning in my store.”

Westchester residents who were not at home enjoying their own air conditioning were enjoying slushies, ice creams and movies.    

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One father bought his son a blueberry slushi from the Sunoco station. “It seems like everybody’s getting them,” the dad said. “I feel bad for the construction workers. I did work on my house until 10 o’clock this morning. It got to be too much.” 

Pedro Ceron purchased an ice pop from the Paleteria ice cream shop. Pedro is a regular customer at the parlor. “I work three blocks from here and we normally come out and enjoy a stroll,” he explained, “but I’m solo today”. His coworkers were not as willing to take the walk. 

Loews Theater was more populated than Main Street, offering new movies like Captain America: The First Avenger, Friends with Benefits, and, of course, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Christina and Lynde had decided that it was too hot to play sports outside like they had planned. “We’re seeing Friends with Benefits,” Lynde said.     

Unfortunately, Port Chester police officers and construction workers had to brave the heat. Officer Presta, who directed traffic yesterday, was not enjoying the summer day. “I’m not going to make it. Worst day in the world,” he declared. 

Thomas Krempa had just finished bike patrol. “I’m going to hop in a pool right now with my dog,” he joked.    

Today should be equally hot, reaching a high of 98 degrees.  

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