Businesses Still Reeling From Tornado

The tornado that swirled through Bristol last Wednesday was weak as tornadoes go, but it smacked a few businesses on North Main Street.

"The power went off," said Kamila Piangozza, co-owner of Express Yourself Salon, "and within five minutes I'm hearing water coming down the ceiling like somebody opened a faucet upstairs."

The chimney of the building had fallen through the roof.  Workers put a tarp over the hole the next day, but more rain over the weekend meant more tarps, and more chance of mildew and mold damage inside.

Next door at Polonia Meat Market, the merchandise itself was growing mildew after the power outage.  Both businesses are waiting for repairs to the building before they reopen.

Behind Jay's Wine and Spirits, there's a mountain of carpeting ripped from the store floor after the rain got in.  Cardboard carriers for beer and other bottled beverages got wet so those drinks can't be sold. 

"I'm here the past three days til about 12:30 in the morning," said Sanjay Patel, the store owner. "The wine bottles, each and every one of them, and all the shelves, have to be cleaned.  And it's a lot of work, you know?"

He's open for business while workers try to get rid of the water in his store.  He can't afford to lose customers who might go somewhere else.

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