How the public can help residents and businesses of Markleeville
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/09/2022 - 10:46am
It has been a week since heavy rain and mud flowed through the Alpine County town of Markleeville, causing its main artery of SR-89 to close due to a large 20-foot hole under the road. The closure left no access to the Carson Pass thoroughfare, which most drivers used to travel to and from the town.
In a story we carried yesterday, the concerns of the businesses and residents of Markleeville were listed as they look at 4-5 weeks of road closure as the 2022 summer tourist season wraps up. Even though there are now efforts to get a road open in about two weeks, the community is still in need of assistance.
Business in town was already down about 50 percent due to the area campground closures due to the Tamarack Fire, and it was that fire scar that caused the mudflow during the July 31 rain storm. The only way in and out of the town is either over Ebbetts Pass on SR-4 or Monitor Pass on SR-89, both windy, narrow roads that add hours to a commute.
Many have asked how they can help those living in Markleeville and running businesses in the historic hamlet.
Following are some ways to help:
1. Send a donation of your choosing to the Markleeville Business Resilience Fund: https://gofund.me/15312fac
2. Add to the Chamber's tab for first responders and residents at any of these local businesses: Cutthroat Brewing Company, Markleeville General Store, Out West Cafe, J. Marklee Toll Station, Carson River Resort.
3. Continue to visit Markleeville via Monitor Pass and/or Ebbetts Pass. It's a beautiful drive! Call ahead as not all businesses will carry the same menu or have the same hours during this time.
4. Buy a gift card or book a hotel stay now, for a future visit. It gets cash into the hands of business owners during this time. Cutthroat Brewing Company (530-694-1865), Markleeville General Store (530-694-2448), J. Marklee Toll Station motel and restaurant (530-694-2505), Stonefly Restaurant (530-694-9999), Out West Cafe (530-694-9494), and Carson River Resort (530-694-2229). Many of the businesses don't have normal business hours or have had to close temporarily, as in the case of Stonefly.
“Our businesses are the backbone of our community. Their resilience in the face of adversity should be recognized. Please consider spending your money where it counts the most. Support for our businesses is the best vector for recovery,” said JT Chevallier, the Alpine County Economic Development director.
Live Violence Free offers services to the Markleville community and was able to do some grocery shopping for clients. The County's Dial-a-Ride service is going over Monitor Pass once a day, three times a week so people can get to mail being rerouted to Gardnerville as well as grocery shopping. At this time they said they don't need anything extra to disperse, but will reach out if that changes.