BUSTLING stores and cafes across Penola were forced to close their doors early last week after being hit with a blackout during the peak tourism season.
The power outage occurred around 3.30pm last Wednesday, driving local operators to close due to food safety concerns and extreme heat.
SA Power Networks spokesperson Paul Roberts said the outage was due to a faulty power transformer and affected 200 customers in total.
“Power was restored to 99pc of customers by 7pm, with the last customers’ power restored at a later time in the evening following the replacement of a faulty transformer,” Mr Roberts said.
Mr Roberts said the customers who experienced the longer blackout were located in close proximity to the transformer.
With the power outage damaging one of their vital drinks fridges, Windara Bakery closed 90 minutes early.
“We were left without the fridge the next business day,” Windara Bakery worker Leanne Colbert said.
Ms Colbert said the business’ main concern during the blackout was food safety.
“We also felt for the community and tourists as the whole main street was affected, leaving them nowhere else to go,” she said.
Later in the evening, once the power was restored, Ms Colbert said she returned to the bakery to turn off the remaining fridges and organise the tills.
The sweltering summer conditions were also not on the side of retailers.
Moss and Wild’s Alana Foster said she waited for as long as possible before making the decision to close.
“We physically could not stay open due to the heat and the air conditioning not functioning,” Ms Foster said.
In addition to the unbearable heat, the shop’s phone was inoperable without power.
The disappointed shop owner said the outages were a major inconvenience as the store would have lost business in the afternoon.
“I felt bad for the many tourists driving to the town and not realising until they got to the shop that it was closed,” Ms Foster said.
“It is very frustrating as you feel for the people travelling.”
Bustling Vintage Cafe was also forced to close its doors early as the cafe’s food safety measures were a priority.
“Due to the loss of power, all of our fridges were obviously not functioning, ” Vintage Cafe owner Carol Marcus said.
The owner said although it was a frustrating time, luckily the outages did not last as long as the overnight blackouts in late 2016.
