New London — As snow and rain fell Tuesday, the city was quiet, except for snow plows and people shoveling sidewalks — and a few businesses that opened their doors.

With a statewide travel ban and snow and freezing rain predicted, many businesses closed for the day as a matter of necessity and safety.

But some downtown businesses, particularly those whose employees live within walking distance of work, said it's a tradition to open, no matter the weather. 

Hannah Riley, a barista at Washington Street Coffee House in downtown New London, said late Tuesday morning that the business opened at 7 a.m. and a few customers who stopped by — mostly for coffee and pastries — were really excited to see the coffee shop was open.

"We pretty much don't close ever," she said.

"I think it lets people know we're reliable, and we will be there if people are out and about, or if they have to plow," she added. "It's probably good to have someplace to go."

Mark Belina, a customer, was drinking a cup of decaf coffee while sitting at a wooden table near a window. Outside, it was raining, the wind was blowing and the streets were empty.

Belina said he figured the coffee shop would probably be open and wanted to return after enjoying lunch there on Monday. He decided to head over Tuesday morning in his all-wheel drive vehicle and was happy to see it was indeed open.

"Weather has never really bothered me," said Belina, who has lived in places like Alaska.

At New London Convenient Store on State Street, store clerk Muhammad Raja said he watched on Monday the news about the upcoming storm but decided to open the store no matter what. 

"I opened at 6:30, and I don't think I'll close before 6:30," he said.

By late morning, about 20 to 30 people had stopped by for coffee, drinks and food. Raja said he anticipates that on a day like Tuesday the store will have about half of the business it has on an average day.

He said it's important to provide some kind of service to the community.

"They know we never close," he said about the store's customers. "365 days a year — we're always open." 

Aftab Syed, the owner of Rainbow Grocery on State Street, said that several larger grocery stores were closing early Tuesday and SEAT bus service was suspended. Many of his customers, who are elderly or need assistance walking, live at the Mohican Senior Apartments near the store. 

Since he also lives close by, he decided to open the store at 8 a.m. Tuesday, in case they wanted to come get something.

"We were open the last time we had a blizzard," he added.

2Wives Brick Oven Pizza on Huntington Street opened at noon Tuesday, and its first two customers, who were ferry workers, arrived at 12:01 p.m.

On snow days, the restaurant typically sees customers who are paramedics, state and city plow drivers, police and people who live nearby, said co-owner Amy Sarcia and Stephanie Johnson, web designer and part-time server. 

Sarcia said it has always been a tradition to be open during snowstorms. A few of the restaurant's employees live within walking distance of work, so the restaurant was able to open Tuesday.

Business can be "hit or miss" on snow days, but she expected it would pick up about 1 or 2 p.m. as people get "cabin fever" and decide to venture out for food.

Sarcia added that not everyone can take the day off from work or can afford to, and she likes to be there for those customers.

"I like to be there for people who need food or maybe a drink or who need a place to get warm and dry off," she said.

"People need a place to eat, people need a place to go," said Peter Detmold of the Dutch Tavern, which he said is always open, no matter the weather.

With the travel ban lifted, some more downtown establishments opened later for evening hours.

k.drelich@theday.com