MARQUETTE -- If you thought being outside in this oppressive heat was rough, try working in a 130 degree kitchen.
That's what cooks at the Portside Inn in Marquette were coping with Wednesday, and the conditions got so unbearable for the Portside staff, the restaurant closed down at around 7 p.m. for the first time in its history.
Owners say it was the combination of a 600 degree pizza oven and the blazing sun that caused the area to get so hot. They said they would rather lose the business than risk the health and safety of employees.
"The staff was getting very lethargic, very tired, a lot of mistakes were happening," said Portside owner Rachel Fay. "Our concern at that time, before someone really got injured or cut themselves or hurt themselves severely, we had to shut the restaurant down."
Fay adds that during the summer months, they have shorter shifts for employees and encourage them to stay hydrated while working.
Wednesday was tied with Sunday for having the hottest temperatures of the year.
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