Planning for Dripping Springs Businesses!

As a business owner in Dripping Springs, what should you be thinking about?

Dripping Springs will be in the direct path of a total eclipse on April 8, 2024. There will not be another solar eclipse visible within the continental United States until 2044.

The last solar eclipse to pass over the United States was in 2017. Cities in that the path of the last total solar eclipse received significant numbers of visitors to view the event, creating both opportunities and challenges for local businesses.

The city is leading a group of community stakeholders. We have been meeting periodically to coordinate a community response. The Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce is on that committee. Please connect with them throughout the lead-up to the event as they will have tips and ideas for business success!

DS Chamber of Commerce

While no one knows exactly how we will be impacted, we do know that businesses have many important decisions to consider in preparing for the eclipses. Many of the markets from which products and services are usually sourced, may also be impacted, creating increased demand. Transportation access will be limited near and on the date of the eclipses. Greater volumes of visitors to Dripping Springs and the region also create a reason for business owners to begin planning early. See our tips below...

Tips for Businesses:

The City of Dripping Springs expects as much as a 25% increase in visitors. This could be a great opportunity for business, but you will need to be prepared. Grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, transportation services, coffee shops, retail stores, urgent care/walk-in clinics and many other establishments will experience a jump in business.

What You Can Do To Prepare Your Business:

Back-up Plans: Prepare for an increase in customers; have needed supplies on hand and early; consider extending hours of operation to meet customer needs and have back-up plans if staff is delayed due to traffic.
Employee Preparedness: Encourage employees to have a full tank of gas; have their own resources ready at home; day care needs are met, etc. by Thursday, the 17th. Gas stations may be very busy or may be waiting on resupply. Make sure your staff can get to work, so give them reminders to plan ahead and share the “Tips for Residents” in this guide.
Cash/Financial Transactions:
- Be prepared for more cash transactions; consider having extra tills set up to accommodate more cash transactions. You may have larger than normal deposits over the weekend. Check ahead of time if your bank will be open on Monday, the 8th.
- How does your credit/debit card machine access the internet? If you use cell service/cell wireless service for your transactions, be prepared with a back-up plan. We anticipate a high demand for cellular service during the impact period, especially Monday, the 8th. You may find you are not able to make transactions; have a backup plan to meet your customers’ needs.
Communications: Anticipate possible cellular service disruptions due to the increased demand. Visitors may have urgent requests to use your landline business phone if cell service is limited; decide how you want to handle these requests and make sure employees know what to do. If it is a 911 emergency and you have a landline…be ready to help!!
Regularly Scheduled Deliveries: Evaluate when you receive your regular deliveries; deliveries scheduled for Monday, April 8th may be significantly delayed due to the overwhelming amount of vehicles trying to come in and leave the city. Consider rescheduling for Tuesday or order extra the week before.
Restrooms: Be aware many visitors will be camping in authorized and potentially unauthorized locations; expect customers who may be primarily interested in using business restrooms. Public restrooms will be in short supply and port-a-potties in limited locations may be at capacity until service providers can empty them.
More tips will be coming. Check back often!