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Kevin Williams director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at SUNY Buffalo State University, projects a simulation of the April 8 solar eclipse as it will be seen in Buffalo.
It won’t be business as usual during the solar eclipse.
Many local companies are taking steps that will give workers the flexibility to step out and view the eclipse on April 8.
Many companies are encouraging workers to stay home and do their jobs remotely, if they can. Others are planning brief reprieves that will allow workers to go outside during the totality phase.
One thing that isn’t happening so much are elaborate events. With officials warning about traffic jams and big crowds, some employers that had contemplated holding special events for workers that afternoon have backed off in favor of remote work.
Here’s a look at what some local companies are doing during the eclipse.
Phillips Lytle: When the big moment arrives, attorneys and staff can use the firm’s eighth-floor balcony at the One Canalside building. They will be able to “log off” at 3:15 p.m. to witness the totality that occurs about three minutes later.
The law firm will provide attorneys and staff with free viewing glasses. There also will be treats for them, in the form of cupcakes decorated with the phases of the eclipse.
Phillips Lytle has multiple offices, and will provide gift bags with celestial-themed treats to attorneys and employees at all its locations. The firm is making arrangements to stream the eclipse to locations outside of Buffalo.
M&T Bank: The bank has asked most of its employees to work from home on the day of the eclipse, due to an expected surge in visitors and traffic congestion. The bank will provide complimentary eclipse glasses to its employees in the path of totality, in Western New York, Rochester and Syracuse.
Moog Inc.: The company is providing free viewing glasses to employees at its Elma campus, so that they can step outside and view the eclipse at their discretion. Moog is also sponsoring and providing some volunteers for the event at Knox Farm.
Kangarootime, the winner of the 2017 43North competition, is making a day of viewing the solar eclipse on April 8, inviting its employees and their families to a viewing bash around the corner from its headquarters at Resurgence Brewing Co.
The child-care management software company, located at 301 Ohio St., will be shutting down for the fun and educational experience being offered at Resurgence and has invited the larger 43North portfolio, inside Seneca One tower, to join in as well.
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible above Western New York. Millions of people are expected to visit Buffalo to watch. Holly Schreiber, chief scientist at the Buffalo Museum of Science talks about what to expect as the path of totality of a solar eclipse passes over Buffalo on April 8.
At Resurgence, 55 Chicago St., there will be live music, local craft vendors, food and beverage options, a specialty eclipse beer, kids tent with fun activities and a science tent with meteorologist Andy Parker educating attendees about the eclipse. The day will begin that morning for some Kangarootime employees who are planning to run in a 5K race open to the public at Delaware Park.
Delaware North, one of Buffalo’s largest employers, won’t be throwing a party and instead will be allowing workers at its Buffalo headquarters to work from home on the day of the solar eclipse.
Delaware North considered hosting a party specifically for employees and their families, but with schools closing and Erie County officials suggesting staying off the roads due to the crowds expected in the area, it opted to encourage employees to work from home and enjoy their own plans for viewing the eclipse.
The Martin Group won’t be closing or hosting a big party, but it will be taking a little time to observe the solar eclipse. The advertising agency will open the rooftop at its Buffalo headquarters on 620 Main St. for employees to make their way up for a short break to view the eclipse from the downtown office located in the Theatre District.
“We simply will give Buffalo-based associates access to our building roof that day to view it periodically,” said Matt Davison, chief business officer.
The company will also bring in “out of this world” treats and snacks to enjoy the view with, including Moon Pies, Sun Chips and Milky Way candy bars.
Many Western New York colleges and universities are holding classes as usual on eclipse day but allowing faculty, staff and students to take part in eclipse viewing activities for some or all of the celestial activity.
The University at Buffalo and SUNY Buffalo State are among the exceptions – UB is canceling in-person classes, but encouraging instructors to offer classes remotely, while Buffalo State is canceling classes entirely.
Buffalo State has had “Total Solar Eclipse – no classes” on its events calendar for months. The university is holding a ticketed Eclipse Fest for 2,500 people at its Coyer Field athletic complex that day.
Independent Health had discussed holding a watch party for its employees who planned to be on its campus, but the Amherst insurer decided to forgo that idea in light of county officials encouraging remote work to ease anticipated traffic congestion from the eclipse.
Instead, Independent Health is discouraging associates from scheduling any meetings during the eclipse and has been giving out branded eclipse glasses to its employees so they can safely view the eclipse from home.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, is encouraging its employees to work with their managers “to plan their day so they can best serve our members, while also safely witnessing this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
The insurer expects many of its Buffalo-based employees to work remotely that day, under the company’s hybrid work model.
But for those who choose to work on site April 8, Highmark is planning a viewing experience from the top level of its parking ramp. Eclipse safety glasses will be provided to employees.
The health plan is also hosting an informational training for employees to learn about the history and science of the eclipse, in addition to how to view the eclipse safely.
The 2024 Solar Eclipse arrives on Monday, April 8. Meteorologist Joe Martucci is here to discuss the exact time of the day, down to the minutes and seconds, that cities in Upstate New York will be in the eclipse. Look for more solar eclipse coverage on the Across the Sky podcast. The team speaks with Tony Rice, a NASA Ambassador, all about it.
Tops Markets will let store workers watch the eclipse during an expected lull in business.
“We expect traffic to decrease as many Western New Yorkers will have their eyes pointed to the skies,” said Kathleen Sautter, Tops spokesperson. “Our store associates are welcome and encouraged to participate in the solar eclipse if they elect to do so.”
Tops’ corporate office staff will be dismissed at 1 p.m. the day of the eclipse.
Wegmans stores in the path of totality will close from 3 to 3:30 p.m. April 8.
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA retailers are making their own decisions on how they will handle the few minutes of totality, when business may drop. The mall is hosting an eclipse party with an eclipse selfie station, giveaways and a DJ playing celestial-themed music.
“We anticipate that shoppers and visitors will likely pause their shopping desires for these brief few moments,” said mall manager John Doran. “But our retailers are staffing up for an expected boost in foot traffic all weekend long.”
Walden Galleria will be open during its regular hours but is urging individual stores to let workers partake in the eclipse.
“We’re encouraging stores to modify their hours of operation during the eclipse so that staff and employees can experience the phenomenon,” said Alex Corbelli, a Galleria spokesperson.
Staff Buffalo, a staffing agency on Humboldt Parkway, polled workers to see what they wanted to do for the eclipse. About 75% of workers voted to throw a viewing party at work while the rest wanted to work from home.
“Everyone is really excited about it, so we will split up,” said Maggie Shea, a partner at the company.
Those who want to work from home will watch it with their family and friends, while the majority of workers will have a party at the office, then walk over to Delaware Park and the Japanese Garden to watch the eclipse unfold.
Area hotels and hospitality groups expect to have all hands on deck during the eclipse, according to Sara Harvey, a spokesperson for tourism and hospitality bureau Destination Niagara USA.
“The hospitality and tourism employees in Niagara Falls are preparing for what is expected to be the busiest event ever in the destination,” Harvey said.
Destination Niagara USA plans to increase staffing levels and extend the operating hours of the Niagara Falls USA Official Visitor Center the weekend leading up to the eclipse, and on April 8 itself in order to better serve the influx of visitors.
“We are encouraging everyone to bring in food to share to keep the atmosphere fun and employees energized for a long day,” Harvey said.
The office plans to close from 3 p.m. until the completion of the eclipse, so that workers will have the opportunity to view the event.
NFTA: At the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, all employees were given protective glasses, and all the NFTA buses will pull over and stop during the eclipse for at least 20 minutes, giving both drivers and passengers an opportunity to observe.
Employees in the agency’s buildings will also be given a chance to “go out and take a look,” said Kimberley A. Minkel, executive director.
“This is once-in-a-lifetime thing. People want to see it,” she said. “I’m excited about it.”
West Herr Automotive Group dealerships are planning cookouts with “enormous amounts of food and certified eclipse glasses being distributed,” said Mary Wright, a spokeswoman. “We will have enough glasses and food for every employee and their families and extras for all our customers who may be in the stores at the time of the eclipse.”
Matt Glynn
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Buffalo City Hall will be closed all day on Monday, April 8. Niagara Falls City Hall offices will be closed at noon April 8
Kevin Williams director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at SUNY Buffalo State University, projects a simulation of the April 8 solar eclipse as it will be seen in Buffalo.
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