MANCHESTER, Conn — “We couldn’t imagine not having our doors opened,” exclaimed Tammy Gerhard, the owner of Silk City Coffee on Main Street in Manchester. Gerhard has owned Silk City for the past seven years and is intent on staying open on Thanksgiving morning to serve runners and fans alike before and after the Manchester Road Race.
“It’s all about the community," Gerhard added. "That is what we have been doing since the day we opened, this is Thanksgiving in Manchester.”
Similar sentiments are around the corner at Urban Lodge Brewing Company, where owner Michael Gerrity will not only run the Manchester Road Race but will also keep his popular bar and tavern open for hundreds of fans to enjoy.
On race day, “Everybody is just a little bit happier, everybody is just a little bit more excited," according to Gerrity. "They want to be amongst the whole event so it’s a really good day in Manchester.”
Just down Main Street by the start/finish line, Bob Sulick, the owner of Mulberry Street Pizza, has made it a tradition to open his doors early to host customers on race day – Sulick has been at it for nearly two decades.
“We’re packed,” laughed Sulick. “It’s standing room only most of the time and then about noon I kick everyone out and we go home and have dinner!”
Sulick then added he will be prepping for the crowds by 5 a.m. in his restaurant.
“They see this as a place to go on Thanksgiving morning and it’s a great start to the day,” he said.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.