The B&H electronics and camera store in New York City became the hottest club in town as New Yorkers flocked there to purchase eclipse sunglasses to view the upcoming solar eclipse. People stood in line for long periods to buy the glasses, with some even experiencing fights and chaos as they tried to obtain a pair. B&H was selling glasses for as little as $1.29 for a single pair and $39.95 for sunglasses, making it one of the most popular places to purchase the necessary eyewear for safe eclipse viewing. The demand for eclipse glasses was so high that many other companies running out of stock earlier in the day.
The frenzy for eclipse glasses was so intense that even workers in Penn Station started giving out glasses to desperate commuters. The crowd was so chaotic that some people chose to leave Penn Station and go to B&H instead to purchase their glasses. B&H proved to be a popular choice for eclipse viewers due to its availability of glasses and affordability. The store was busy with individuals, some of whom waited in line for nearly an hour to purchase their glasses in hopes of seeing the eclipse clearly, despite the long wait.
Due to the rarity of this specific eclipse and the fact that it will be the last one passing near the area for at least a few decades, many New Yorkers felt that waiting in long lines at B&H was worth it for the opportunity to see the eclipse. The eclipse, known as The Great North American Solar Eclipse, is the last total eclipse to hit the US for the next 20 years, making it a must-see event for Americans. People expressed concern about potential cloudy weather that could obscure their view of the eclipse after waiting in line for so long to purchase the necessary eyewear.
Millions of Americans were expected to hit the road to view the solar eclipse, with some staying in areas in the path of totality for up to four minutes of total eclipse coverage. The eclipse would be visible in New York between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m., with the city expecting to see around 90% of the eclipse. The event drew people from all over the country, contributing to traffic congestion on at least 30 interstate highways. The solar eclipse was a highly anticipated event that garnered excitement and interest from people of all ages and backgrounds who were eager to witness this natural phenomenon.
