CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The snow may have kept people home Sunday and Monday, but some businesses braved the elements to open their doors.

• Nova's Bakery in Plaza Midwood opened early Sunday morning, and again Monday.
• The Charlotte Cafe also opened Sunday and Monday to help customers who may have lost power during the storm.
• Both stores did close early Sunday afternoon so employees could get home safely.

Nova's Bakery in Plaza Midwood opened early Sunday morning, and again Monday.

Nemanja Novakovic, one of the bakery's owners, says they've stayed open during snow storms before, and this time was no different. They made sure to stock up with plenty of bread, and also some treats for everyone to enjoy.

"I think we got a little more traffic than usual, just because everybody else was closed, and some people didn't have power," said Novakovic. "When it's cold and snowy, that kind of thing, everybody still wants coffee, and everybody still wants something good to eat. We get crowds from the people that want something warm and fun."

They weren't the only restaurant that stayed open. The Charlotte Cafe also opened Sunday and Monday to help customers who may have lost power during the storm.

"Everybody was on the understanding we would be here, even if I had to pick them up," said Jim Roupas, the cafe's manager. 

Patricia Burlingham was glad to see the open sign after she lost power for nearly 24 hours. 

"I'm thankful. Especially since we didn't know for sure whether we were going to be able to cook when we headed over here. So it was nice to get a warm breakfast," she said. 

Both stores did close early Sunday afternoon so employees could get home safely.