CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — A longtime local business has managed to stay open after being damaged in an early Saturday morning vehicle crash.
The Red and White Store, located at 12580 Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks, was the scene of the wreck, which occurred at approximately 1:23 a.m. Saturday, said California HIghway Patrol Officer Efrain Cortez.
However, the store has been able to remain open in the crash’s aftermath, said Manager Christopher Hallsted.
The CHP’s online incident reports said a vehicle — a full-size SUV — hit the building and a subject was reported to be out of the vehicle and lying on the ground.
The damage was to the portion of the store at the intersection of Acorn Street and Highway 20.
Cortez told Lake County News that the driver suffered minor injuries.
He said the CHP did not yet know what led to the crash, but that driving under the influence had been ruled out as a cause.
Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters responded to the scene and were part of investigating the damage to the structure’s integrity after the crash, according to radio reports.
The district’s firefighters also posted pictures of the crash scene on their group Facebook page.
“We’re open. Luckily it didn’t do enough structural damage to get it red-tagged,” Hallsted said, explaining that they were able to put in a temporary wall.
He added that it’s not going to be cheap to fix the damage. However, “All is well.”
The store has been a community fixture since Cory and Eddie Nylander opened it in 1933.
Among its more notable milestones came in 2012, when the store sold a winning $14 million lottery ticket.
Hallsted said the store is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Red and White Store carries on after early Saturday crash
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On