Summer business booming
News
Posted By Hayley Brigg
Updated 1 month ago
Summer business for area restaurants has started to heat up with the warmer July temperatures.
With temperatures exceeding 30 C last weekend, local retailers are preparing for a busy period as customers look to cool off from the summer heat.
"Things are much better now. We had a slow start but since the weather picked up we're definitely booming," said Shawna Witko, owner of Selkirk's Snack Shack. "The weather does have a big affect on our business for sure, it's kind of hard to sell ice cream when it's raining."
Witko says business for this season initially had a strong start when they opened up on the first day of spring in March. However, in April and May, the weather turned sour, drenching the area with endless days full of rain that forced customers to stay inside.
In Lockport, owners of long-time summertime staple Skinner's Restaurant say they too have seen an increase in traffic to their Highway 44 establishment, which has been serving up treats in the area since the 1920's.
"Business has been OK, it's slow on those rainy days but as soon as the sun comes out everyone has to come out and have one of our world-famous hotdogs," said Brent Thompson, who co-owns the establishment with his wife, Brenda. "The spring was busy for us because the weather was nice, but it did taper off with all of that rain."
Meanwhile, both Witko and the Thompsons are breathing a sigh of relief that it appears that this summer won't repeat last year's dismal weather.
Businesses across the Tri-S and beaches area suffered heavily during the vacation season in 2009 due to cold, rainy temperatures with sunny days few and far between.
"Last summer was cold and rainy, which wasn't ideal for business," Witko recalled. "Compared to last year, I think we're definitely above what we were doing at this time last year, which is good."
Though unfavourable, Thompson adds that cold and wet weather doesn't have as big of effect on their business as they have an indoor seating area where their ice cream or homemade fries can be enjoyed rain or shine.
"Even last year the weather didn't affect us as much. When the days were nice, the people came out and business was booming," said Thompson. "Regardless of the weather, people are still travelling and we're on a busy thoroughfare here on the highway, so we still pick up a lot of traffic through here that way."
