What's open, what's closed in Northeast? Stella causes myriad of closures
NEW YORK — Winter Storm Stella wreaked havoc from Maine to North Carolina, causing a myriad of school, government and business closures Tuesday.
The brunt of the winter storm spared New York City, but life for many still came to a standstill as parts of the Northeast are expected to be buried by as much as 30 inches of snow.
Here’s a rundown of some of what’s open and closed in areas impacted by Stella:
The normally bustling Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan felt like a ghost town as commuter service to northern New York City suburbs and Connecticut was suspended at noon. All above-ground subway service in New York City also stopped.
The city closed public schools, suspended trash pickup and shuttered senior and recreational centers for the day.
Amtrak, which announced a modified schedule along the Northeast corridor ahead of the storm, suspended service between New York City and Boston as well New York City and Albany by mid-morning. Meanwhile, airlines canceled more than 8,600 flights.
As the snow piled up in Manhattan, some businesses — including a few Starbucks and gyms in Midtown — decided to play it safe and close early. About 100 Starbucks locations closed in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to company spokeswoman Linda Mills. She said the chain hopes “to reopen them as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Some retailers also closed shop for the day. Danbury Fair mall in Danbury, Conn.; Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers, N.Y.; and Wilton Mall in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., all shut their doors. The malls expected to reopen Wednesday, though it will depend on the impact of the storm, according to Karen Maurer, a spokeswoman for owner-operator Macerich.
But Stella couldn't dim the bright lights of Broadway. All Tuesday evening performances will be performed as scheduled, said Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League. Workers were busy clearing snow from the entry doors of The Metropolitan Opera building, where the opera La Traviata is still slated to be performed Tuesday tonight.
“The show must go on! For visitors who are staying in hotels and can’t get home, it’s a great time to see a show," St. Martin said. "Locals can see a hot show in a warm theatre! As always, the safety and security of theatergoers is everyone's primary concern, so those who can’t get in to the city should contact their point of purchase for questions about exchange policies.”
About 50 people stood in line outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre, some hoping to score coveted tickets to the hit musical Hamilton.
"We're out here in this weather because we want to see this show that badly," said Stacey Plymale of Stuart, Fla. She was with her friend Gail Anderson on a mother-daughter pilgrimage to see the show.
The National Hockey League wasn't quite as intrepid. League official announced they were postponing Tuesday night's game between the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark. The game will instead be played March 28.
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The snow didn't stop many New Yorkers and their dogs from the call of nature. Bundled up residents flocked to Central Park to walk their dogs, sled down snow-covered hills and take photos of the snow-covered city.
The iconic Tavern on the Green was packed for lunch. Patrons ducked in from the cold to take in the sweeping-views of the park over a cup of coffee, tea, or something a bit stronger. It is a snow day after all.
In Washington, D.C., federal government offices opened with a three-hour delay. Many schools in the D.C. suburbs canceled classes. Public school students in the district weren’t as lucky: Classes began after a two-hour delay. Many colleges throughout the Northeast also canceled classes for the day.
In Boston, the city braced for as much as a foot of snow. Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office announced voter registration and nomination deadlines for upcoming municipal elections were pushed back to Thursday. With heavy snow and high winds, Boston officials announced schools would be closed both Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I’d rather err on the side of caution than put our kids in harm’s way,” Mayor Martin Martin Walsh told reporters.
In Philadelphia, which received 4 inches of snow, all city government offices opened an hour late. City officials, however, urged residents to stay out of Center City, if possible, so Streets Department crews could continue to clear the icy roads.
Contributing: Peter D. Kramer, Gabriel Rom, Zlati Meyer and Aamer Madhani