The most disastrous event to ever strike Nichols Market during its more than 50year history in Eufaula struck Tuesday evening, according to owner Jeremy Nichols.
“We suffered a severe power loss which (OG&E) was unable to fix (immediately). It was devastating. It’s not anyone’s fault. I have never seen anything like it. Neither has my father, and he’s 80. It isn’t something you can prepare for.
“It’s the most devastating thing to happen to the store. Even during ice storms, power went out for a week or two, but inside the store it was so cold the perishables were safe.”
Even though the event created chaos, the store has remained open but for one day and is busy re-stocking..
The bedlam began at about 8 p.m., Aug. 19, lightning struck OG&E’s underground wiring that powered the store.
Electricity was interrupted that night, and the next morning at about 9 a.m. completely went out.
More than 23 tons of perishables had to be disposed of. More than a dozen roll- off dumpsters, mostly from Blackcat Roll-Offs and Sue’s Recycling, took the meats, ice cream, vegetables and other items to landfills in Muskogee and Eufaula.
Many shelves were bare inside the store as employees, many working on their days off, spent the rest of the week cleaning and preparing for the Labor Day weekend, one of the busiest times of the year for the store.
The power outage could not have come at a worse time.
Logistically, store Manager Pam Evans said truckloads of product had to be ordered, brought to the store, unloaded and then moved on to make room for another truckload.
She was concentrating on products important for the Labor Day shoppers.
Evans said the store is working feverishly to restock and to get back to full strength.
The staff is working hard to replace everything by Labor Day, but we are first going with holiday-oriented orders above other things. As of press time, the shelves are restocked and ready to go.
That includes lots of hot dogs, hamburgers, buns and all the trimmings and other holiday products.
She said she may have seen the lightning bolt that knocked out the power.
“Tuesday night was the beginning of the nightmare,” Evans said.
“Tuesday night I went to dinner with my daughter in Muskogee and when I was coming back around 8 o’clock, I saw a red lightning streak. I don’t know if that’s the one or not, but it’s just so weird that it was red,” she said.
Later she got a call at home and was told the electricity was partially out.
Like dominoes, the automatic doors quit working, then cash registers went down, lights in the store’s two offices went off.
And the perishables were perishing.
“Between 9:30 and 10 a.m., the show was over,” Evans said.
OG&E showed up to begin replacing the wiring, a three-day job.
Roll-offs were brought in and employees began loading them up.
“Some of the people that were off on that day came in and helped on Wednesday with the cleanup and tried to get everything in order,” she said.
They were closed Wednesday but were open the following days despite having a shortage of perishables.
The store didn’t sell or give the perishables away because the food could have been spoiled and caused people to get sick.
“We didn’t want to take the chance. That’s why restaurants don’t give away food that isn’t consumed, because of the health hazard,” she said.
The store was extremely cautious about protecting their customers.
“We probably got rid of a little bit of stuff that might have made it, but we didn’t want to take the chance of somebody buying it and then getting sick,” she said.
Evans said the store worked feverishly to restock and to get back to full strength.
Store owner Jeremy Nichols said this is the most stressful thing he has ever experienced at the store started by his father, Gary, in 1976.
Last week’s catastrophe might have forced other stores to close, but Jeremy said Nichols is determined to continue.
For decades the store has been a strong community supporter, rarely turning down a request for help.
Whether it is help in a disaster, charity, school, church or countless other worthwhile events, Nichols has been there to help.
Jeremy said that in all the years working with his father, he never saw him tell somebody ‘No’ if they needed something. That has stayed with me. Things have gotten tighter, there’s a lower margin of profit than it has ever been, but if the Chamber needs something, no problem. If the Lake Eufaula Association needs something, not a problem. Schools, police and fire, FFA.
“Anything community related, if you’re not going to help them you can’t expect them to return the favor. I love to give back to the community. It means the store is doing well.”
Eufaula School Superintendent Monty Guthrie is among the legions of Eufaulans grateful for the Nichols Market.
“In my limited time with Eufaula Public Schools Nichols has been a valued partner in numerous ways. They have always been great supporters to the band and athletics, but their generosity certainly isn’t limited to those areas.
“They have always been more than willing to partner with us in the area of employee recognition in the contribution of gifts and food in appreciation for the work done by our employees.
“They are also a great partner with our child nutrition program, always willing and able to assist us in any immediate need that may arise on a daily basis.
There probably is not a single program operating in Eufaula Schools they have not contributed to or supported at one time or another.
“We greatly appreciate all of our local businesses and are forever thankful for the continued support given to the students and employees of Eufaula Public Schools.
“Finally, I want to mention the fact that they employ many of our students after school and during the summer.
“We currently have one student who is doing a work study hour with them at this current time.
“The management at Nichols has always gone out of their way to work around the schedules of students who participate in school activities and work at the same time.
“They always recognize the importance of both. There is no better way for a young person to become college or career ready like taking on the responsibility of a job and meeting an employer’s expectations.
“Nichols is truly a blessing to our school and community, and we wish them well in a very speedy recovery from this unexpected event.”
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director says Nichols Market has always been a tremendous supporter of the Chamber, maintaining a Corporate Membership and generously sponsoring several events throughout the year.
“Their continued partnership plays a vital role in helping us grow, connect, and strengthen our community. We are grateful for their dedication and commitment to Eufaula,” she said.
Sheriff Kevin Ledbetter expressed his gratitude to Nichols.
“Over the years, they have donated a lot,” he said. “They have been a constant Supporter.” City Manager Jacob Foos said, ““Nichols Market brings people together, supports local jobs, and keeps dollars right here in Eufaula. It’s a big part of what makes our community strong and a place we’re all proud to call home. When we choose to shop local, we’re investing in our neighborhoods and helping our community grow stronger. “
Rhonda Adams, Executive Director of the Lake Eufaula Association, said her first job when she moved to Eufaula was at Nichols, where Pam Evans was her boss.
Pam has been with Nichols for 27 years.
“From day one I saw how the store treats people like family – a commitment that has never wavered. My oldest son later worked there in high school, and Nichols was wonderful about working around his school schedule, giving local teens a supportive place to learn responsibility,” Adams said. “Now, as Executive Director of the Lake Eufaula Association, I see firsthand how often Nichols steps up for this community— providing jobs, sponsoring events, donating, and saying ‘yes’ whenever help is needed. “After the lightning strike on Tuesday, Aug. 19, that knocked out power and forced them to discard thousands of pounds of perishables, it’s our turn to rally for Nichols the way they have always rallied for all of us.”
And that is exactly what the community is doing.
