Snow shovels scraped sidewalks on Denver’s 16th Street Mall, but foot traffic was relatively light Wednesday morning, as heavy snow kept many people at home.
Still, the mall in the heart of downtown was sprinkled with intrepid workers heading to their jobs, travelers here for conferences, runners and folks looking for something to do.
“We’re open for business. I think it’s going to be a slow day,” said Steve Chavez, manager of Denver Pavilions at 16th Street Mall.
But he expected that theaters and restaurants would do a good business as children who are out of school, and others who want to get out of the house, head downtown.
BLIZZARD:
The blizzard, coming after Tuesday’s balmy weather, was a shock to some.
“My wife and I were joking about if we should pack up our winter clothes, but then we got hit with a blizzard,” said Rick Niemeyer, 36.
Lillie Zablocki, 20, of Centennial, was with her boyfriend, who is on spring break , looking for a place to eat after both came into town by light rail.
The couple loved Tuesday’s spring weather, she said, but the snow, thick enough to limit visibility, was a let down. “We like the 70-degree weather more than this,” she said.
“I was in a light jacket yesterday. But this is too cold,” said Mike Johnson, 33, a visitor from California.
Johnson, who works for Samsung, said he was in Denver for a conference. He seldom sees snow in California, he said, and being in the midst of the thick-falling moisture was exciting.
To Ann Paul, of Aurora, the storm was less impressive. “I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life, so this isn’t that big of a deal. We don’t complain about moisture here,” she said.
While most schools throughout the area were closed, some students didn’t get the word. “I was so happy in my bed. They canceled class and didn’t even tell us,” said Camila Viancha, 22, a student at the Colorado School of English.
“My commute was so bad (from Boulder). I saw different slide-offs on the way. And I don’t even have boots,” she said.
Theresa Wardon, 34, lives about a mile-and-a-half from work, but decided to walk rather than risk getting stuck in the snow. She, too, was without boots, and suffering with wet feet.
Niemeyer wasn’t going to miss work and took Uber from Capitol Hill to the 16th Street Mall. “When you are an entrepreneur and you work for yourself, every day you take off you are losing money,” the scientific consultant said.
The snowy weather brought business to food delivery services in the metro area. But streets were treacherous for those making deliveries.
Priyam Shah said he risks his life to bring Denver residents Italian subs.
The Wisconsin native’s Midwest background gives him the thick skin he needs when delivering Jimmy John’s sandwiches by bike in a blizzard.
“You fall often,” Shah said. “But you get back up and ride away and hope you don’t break your arm in the process.”
Jack Denney woke up Wednesday morning and grimaced when he saw the weather he’d be biking in.
“It’s a nightmare waking up to this,” he said.
Denney’s Minnesota roots give him the strength he needs to make it to work. His route extends about a mile in each direction from the 16th Street Mall location.
“It’s really not that bad if you have the clothes for it,” he said.
The couriers said snowy days tend to be busy as folks hibernate inside and order take-out instead of venturing into the snow, themselves.
“It’s a good money day,” Shah said. “People tip better.”
Tom McGhee: 303-954-1671, tmcghee@denverpost.com or @dpmcghee
