PULLMAN, Wash – DJ Goldfinger, the owner of Lumber Yard in Pullman, is one of the 37,000 Avista customers who lost gas last night. Goldfinger says they are doing their best to work around their new normal, but he says he’s definitely lost some sleep, “one day, it could be a struggle. A week is terrifying,” said Goldfinger.
Goldfinger says he knew he had to stay open; now they’re operating on a partial menu. However, some restaurants, like Birch and Barley, were forced to close. Owner Jill Bielenberg says the strangest part of the last two days has been being unable to give back.
“Tragedy hits, typically what we do is we make food for people so it’s very bizarre not being able to access that and to have that source when there is a lot of people who could use it,” said Bielenberg.
Mayor of Pullman Glenn Johnson says the city’s emergency declaration was a precaution. If there are supplies that the city has to buy to get residents through these difficult times, it allows them to access what they need more quickly.
In terms of a timeline, Johnson, like everyone else, is hoping the work is done very soon, “things could get done within a week, I don’t know. They believe they’re going to work through a system this afternoon, tonight. It’s going to take a few days to get everything reset because it all has to be done by hand.”
And Goldfinger believes in his community, “I believe in the people around here. I’ve seen so many Avista trucks pull up, so I think they will get it done. I’m a believer.”
