Coloma Businesses Flooded With Meteorite Hunters

COLOMA (CBS13) - Not only are the meteorite hunters the talk of the town but they're also causing a boom in business for locals who have to hire extra staff to accommodate the crowd.

"We get people who are river rafting to people who are visiting the parks," said restaurant owner Keith Merson.

Lately, the Sierra Nevada House has been catering to a more unique kind of crowd.

It's all thanks to the meteorite mania that has been bringing in hundreds of scientists and volunteers searching Coloma for meteorites.

"We've been expecting business to slow down, but the meteor landed and business hasn't stopped. It's been very busy everyday we're open," said Merson.

Each hunter walking side by side as they search through public areas and private property like Big Sky Ranch, where the owner says only NASA is allowed through his gates.

"I've had plenty of people show interest in coming on my property but I won't let them," said Terry Stigall.

While so many hours go into these searches, meteorite hunters say they're determined to find what they came here for.

"Most of these pieces don't ever get found, but we're hoping to come across some at least," said NASA researcher Peter Jenniskens.

As for the local business, they are grateful the meteor showered extra customers their way.

"It's been great. We have a table of 12 people in [the Sierra Nevada House], talking about what they found," said Merson.