STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.—Local businesses on Castleton Avenue in West Brighton remained operational during and after a major snowstorm that dumped up to 28 inches of snow on Staten Island. The businesses provided essential services to residents struggling with impassable streets and limited options.
C-Town Market at 1234 Castleton Ave. kept its doors open throughout the storm while many other stores closed, including nearby Key Food. Adam Abuzahrieh, one of the store’s owners, said the decision to stay open required significant effort but was worth it to serve the community.
“It was rough opening,” Abuzahrieh admitted. “I dug my car out, and then I dug myself basically to work over here. A lot of people in the area were happy we were open because a lot of stores were closed.”
His market opened at 9:30 a.m. and closed around 7 p.m., shorter than its normal 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours. Abuzahrieh brought in only hyper-local workers who could safely reach the store while giving the day off to employees who lived farther away.
Inside the store, cashier Laura Hernandez and employee George Vargas kept the front end running as shoppers streamed in for essentials. Both said customers were grateful the market stayed open…