TYLER, Texas — A study released Monday by the Perryman Group in Waco estimates that Texas could see a surge in visitor spending that’ll total almost $430 million on April 8, the day of the eclipse - and that includes more than $25 million in Tyler.
That’s led community leaders in cities like Llano and Kyle to tell folks to stock up on groceries. When most people consider stocking up they think about non-perishable items. But when treated right, people can make their protein last too.
"We have freezer packs that we sell a lot of all the time, and that’s really the best way to go. They’ll last in your freezer a year, and so if you’re interested in that, we can take care of anybody," said Tom Koehler, the supervisor at The Country Meat Market in Tyler.
The Country Meat Market sells sausages, brisket, ham, turkey, steak and more. And no matter what cut of meat, Koehler ensures that anything should last in a proper freezer for a year, if not maybe even a month or so more.
When you're all ready to go before the eclipse, maybe consider stopping by TJC during the afternoon. They’re going to have some unique viewing opportunities.
"We got a 12-inch, a 12-inch roll of aluminized Mylar film. It’s rated so that way we can see the sun without burning our eyes because we don’t want to burn our eyes," said Chris Compac, a physics/engineering department student intern at TJC.
Students with the TJC STEM Club have been busy putting together not one, but two different “solar tents," where viewers can safely watch the eclipse from inside without protective eyewear. And they’ll both be up on campus on eclipse day, so even the least-prepared passerby can catch a glimpse of history.
"It was a just in case people are walking by and they’re like ‘oh, why is it getting dark all of a sudden?’ There’ll be a bunch of nerds out here being like ‘hey look it’s so cool!’ cause I can guarantee that’s what’s going to happen because it’s pretty cool stuff," Compac said.