Storm Aftermath: Lake Geneva Businesses Battle Tech Woes on July 4th

Lake Geneva experienced significant disruptions to its local businesses on the Fourth of July, just one day after a devastating storm claimed three children's lives and led to a city-wide state of emergency. Many shops and restaurants along Main Street found themselves without internet service, impacting their ability to process credit card payments. This led some businesses to operate on a cash-only basis. For instance, Olympic Family Restaurant lost internet service around 1:30 p.m. on July 3 and was still attempting to restore it 25 hours later, estimating a $2,000 loss in business and having to turn away approximately 100 customers. Restaurants like Lake-Aire Restaurant faced similar issues, with internet service only returning around 11:30 a.m. on July 4. One manager took a calculated risk by storing customer credit card details to process later, a gamble that ultimately paid off with only a $50 declined transaction. Other establishments, such as Geneva Tap House and The Porch cafe, managed the situation with cash-paying customers or by successfully processing saved card information once services were restored. Speedo's Harborside Pub & Grill, despite losing outdoor seating during the storm, managed to keep its operations running, highlighting a resilient spirit within the community.