Storm damage will leave 20 or more Cullman businesses closed for varying amounts of time, spanning weeks to months.

Many of the businesses affected by the Monday evening storm are on the south side of the Cullman business district in buildings belonging to Drinkard Developments. 

“We’re looking at $8 million at least in damage to the buildings, and that’s including any stock that the stores had,” said Drinkard representative Jason Grimmett.

The shopping centers include Willkommen and Marktplatz containing stores such as Dollar Tree, Great Clips, Palm Beach Tan, TJ Maxx and many others. One business that may be ready to re-open on at least a limited scale is AMC Marktplatz 10, the area’s only movie theater complex, Grimmett said.

Walmart Supercenter on Olive Street reopened at noon Wednesday. The store had hail and water damage, closed Monday night and Tuesday, but came back Wednesday in full operation.

“It’s a total loss on the roofs at both centers,” Grimmett said. “The hail was so large it punched through the roofs. We’re trying to get temporary roofs and get everything dried before the next rains arrive.”

He also said businesses in Town Square and King Edward Plaza were damaged by hail but continue to operate.

In addition to the businesses operating in Drinkard centers, Aldi grocery store may be closed as long as two weeks, said Susan Eller with Cullman Economic Development Agency.

Eller has been gathering information on businesses affected by the storm. She said by Tuesday at least 23 were known to be closed, but some were opening on a limited basis Wednesday.

“That’s a big part of our retail family in Cullman that was impacted by the storm,” Eller said. “It will have an impact on sales taxes for a while and some of that will be offset by the businesses that will be assisting with repairs. We know in 2011 the damage had an impact and this may be larger when you take everything into account for business and personal property. From this storm, it’s just not as visible in some places because the structure are still standing.”

Eller also said Golden Corral is attempting to reopen this weekend, depending on whether roof repairs can be made quickly to allow cleanup of the interior.

The restaurant had extensive roof and water damage from the hail that affected the kitchen and dining areas.

Other businesses that suffered damage were able to remain open, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Milo’s, the drive-through of Starbucks, Lowe’s, Dairy Queen, Jim n Nick’s, Grumpy’s. 

Mitch Smith Chevrolet, which had around 350 cars damaged, will begin selling those vehicles, said the dealership’s Paul Schaffer.

“We will have the estimates on the damage (Thursday). It think it’s going to be more than I first thought, including some damage to the building,” he said. “What we will do is discount them and put in new windshields and wipers. If someone wants us to repair them all the way, we can.”