Prohibition Pizza Weathers the Storm: Resilience and Community Collaboration in the Face of Hurricane Helene

In the days leading up to National Pizza Month, the owners of Prohibition Pizza in High Springs, Florida, found themselves facing an unexpected challenge – the wrath of Hurricane Helene. As the powerful storm ripped through the region, the restaurant was left without power for several days, forcing them to dispose of a significant amount of food and ingredients. However, the Potters, the family behind Prohibition Pizza, refused to let the setback deter them, and instead, they turned to their community for support, showcasing the resilience and collaborative spirit that defines their business.

Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Prohibition Pizza's Hurricane Response

Weathering the Storm: Losing Power and Preserving Food

When Hurricane Helene struck, Prohibition Pizza found itself in a precarious situation. Without a generator to keep their refrigeration systems running, the restaurant was forced to discard weeks' worth of food and prepared ingredients, including pizza dough, meats, cheeses, vegetables, and desserts. Kelly Potter, the co-owner of Prohibition Pizza, described the heartbreaking task of disposing of everything, saying, "We had to dispose of everything. Everything."

Feeding the Community: Donating Food to Local Farmers

Rather than simply throwing away the perishable food, the Potters decided to take action and reach out to their community. They took to Facebook, inviting local farmers and pig owners to come and collect the food to feed their animals. The response was overwhelming, as farmers arrived with trucks to fill up on the donated items. Some farmers were able to gather enough food to feed dozens of pigs, while the Potters themselves took bags home to feed their own cows. This act of generosity not only prevented the food from going to waste but also demonstrated the Potters' commitment to their community and their desire to make the best of a difficult situation.

Restoring Power and Reopening: The Challenges of Recovery

The loss of power and the subsequent disposal of food was a significant financial blow to Prohibition Pizza. Potter estimated the total loss to be "easily over $20,000," factoring in the cost of labor and lost sales. While the community was highly supportive, the Potters felt that the city could have done more to assist small businesses and vulnerable communities during the crisis.

Navigating the Aftermath: Rebuilding Momentum and Preparing for the Future

After the power was finally restored, it took the Prohibition Pizza team an additional two days to clean, restock, and prepare the restaurant for reopening. As they worked to regain their footing, the Potters expressed frustration over the loss of momentum, as October is typically a busy time for their business. "I feel like we are back at square one, and I'm starting my business all over again," Kelly Potter said.

Lessons Learned and Preparing for the Next Storm

The experience of Hurricane Helene has left a lasting impact on the Potters and their business. They now understand the importance of being better prepared for future emergencies, with the public information officer for High Springs, Kevin Mangan, urging residents to expect power outages lasting several days in the event of a hurricane. The Potters have also gained a deeper appreciation for the support of their community, as evidenced by the outpouring of assistance from local farmers during the crisis.As Prohibition Pizza continues to recover and rebuild, the Potters remain committed to their mission of providing high-quality, locally-sourced pizza to the community. Their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity have only strengthened their resolve, and they are poised to emerge from this challenge stronger than ever before.