Some businesses close early in Hyde Park as snow falls fast and hard for hours

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Snow fell hard and fast for a while in the South Side's Hyde Park neighborhood Thursday afternoon, prompting some businesses to close early.

As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reported, sidewalks were covered in snow at 53rd Street and Harper Avenue around 3 p.m. Accumulation really began to pick up around 1:20 to 1:40 p.m.

Le Mignot measured half an inch of snow on the ground with her index finger around 3 p.m. An hour later, it was an inch.

With conditions deteriorating and temperatures also plummeting fast, the Sweetgreen at 1500 E. 53rd St. decided to close early. All the staff were allowed to go home at 3 p.m.

"I noticed that the weather was coming down; the snow was coming down, and I didn't want my team to have to struggle to make it home, because most of my team takes the transportation and has to get on a bus and/or a ride – and I didn't want them to get stuck in the snow, so therefore, we're sending everyone home," said Hyde Park Sweetgreen manager Cheryl Drummond. "I called everyone off for tonight so they won't have to struggle to make it here tonight to work the shift, and also the ones who are here right now – we're just pretty much cleaning up so we can get up out of here so that everyone can make it home safe."

Sweetgreen otherwise would have closed at 8 p.m.

Meanwhile, The Silver Room at 1506 E. 53rd St. is staying open. Owner Eric Williams said holiday shoppers are still going to be out regardless of the weather.

"It's been 25 years of The Silver Room, and people depend on us for last-minute gifts, and folks live in the neighborhood – they can walk a few blocks away. They have pickup orders. They've ordered online, they want to come pick up," Williams said. "So the phone's been ringing all day, and people seem to be out. Rain, sleet, or snow, we're going to be here for everybody."

By 5 p.m. in Hyde Park, the snow had lightened up in Hyde Park, but a biting wind was cutting right through – and layers were no match for it.

But one woman called it all a winter wonderland.

"Take your time, you know, and just enjoy the day. It's beautiful out here," said Tracey Crawford. "I'm out here just walking around; taking in the sights."

By 6 p.m., the snow in Hyde Park had been reduced to flurries. Still, shovelers who were hired by businesses along 53rd Street saw all the snow they cleared away reappear after about two hours.

Le Mignot talked with some people working to keep the sidewalks clear.

"Right now I'm just really worried about how work goes and how I'm going to get home, because the snow," said Roger Pascual, who was salting the sidewalks. "I hope everybody's safe, and I hope nobody slips on the floor."

Elsewhere in Hyde Park, the Museum of Science and Industry closed early at 4 p.m. due to the winter storm. The museum normally would have closed at 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the University of Chicago is on winter break.

In:
• Winter Storm
• Hyde Park
• Winter Storm Warning