Shops power through
STAFF at Yamba's Caperberry Cafe were literally "cooking with gas" at lunchtime to feed the masses during yesterday's blackout across the Lower Clarence.
Owner Ros Lunnon said despite not being able to offer customers coffee, milkshakes, smoothies and toasted sandwiches, the usual lunchtime trade had not been significantly impacted.
"It probably affected our coffee trade a bit, but other than that we are doing all right," she said.
"We are a bit hot but we are coping.
"The boys can still cook - we had gas."
Mrs Lunnon said staff were giving written receipts to customers who requested one and they were keeping a written running tally of sales to be able to balance the till.
She said not being able to withdraw money due to ATMs being down had created problems for some potential customers.
"People can't get money from ATMs so we have given credit to a few of our regulars."
At the nearby Commonwealth Bank, services were also limited.
"We are only letting one customer in at a time and there are only limited services we can offer," staff member Carmel Hale said.
Coles Yamba reported no stock losses as they switched on their back-up generator.
