Eldorado business prepared for eclipse crowds

SALINE COUNTY – Behind Eldorado's iconic Big John's statue, Dan Doughty's grocery sits fully stocked and ready for the masses in advance of Monday's total solar eclipse.

On this particular afternoon, Doughty and assistant Alex Ego make quick work of a fresh pallet of bottled water, one of this week's many specials on display, as they arrange each case of water on the stack.

Doughty, like most business owners in the region, has heard all kinds of predictions concerning hundreds of thousands of people coming to southern Illinois to see the eclipse. He wonders how the temporary extra population may strain the food supplies.

"I don't think it is going to affect us as much on this side of the path of the eclipse," Doughty said. "Now, over on the western side, I think they're anticipating quite a few more people."

He said he will have more staples like bread, water and soda in ready supply during that time, and he'll have a pallet of Kingsford charcoal on sale. In conjunction with the charcoal, of course, the store's meat counter also will be well-stocked, Doughty said.

"The store is well-prepared. We've got a good supply of water, dairy and meat," he said.

He said he's talked to others in the food business, though, and other grocers certainly are purchasing additional inventory in preparation for the eclipse.

"In Marion, I've heard they're almost going overboard," he said. "Some places are ordering 25 percent more than they'd normally carry."

Business partner Eric Johnson said many variables will influence sales before, during and after the eclipse.

"The big question is, what's the weather going to be like that day?" Johnson said.