Warmer Weather Means Busy Bike, Boat Stores
By Edgar Linares, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The warm weather is teasing many winter weary recreationists. Retailers at bike and boat shops in the Twin Cities say they're seeing an increase in foot traffic.
"I enjoy skiing but it's been a pretty cold winter and I'm ready to do some fun stuff in the sunshine," said Dan Juster, a bike builder at Hoigaard's on Excelsior Blvd in Minneapolis.
Juster says people are bringing in their bikes to get tuned up for spring riding.
"[We're] finally starting to see some people enjoying the sunshine and looking for the bikes and boats and all the spring time stuff," said Juster. "Still some skiers are coming in as well, but it's nice to see some of the bike and boat traffic coming in as it warms up."
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports
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The back shop at Hoigaard's is still busy grinding skis, but Juster is off in his corner working on new bike's coming in. He showed us a carbon fiber road racer that's getting ready to hit the streets. He says working on bikes puts him in a spring time sense of mind
"It's been a lot of fun if you like to ski but it's been very, very long if you like summer activities," said Doc Drone, Hoigaard's Paddle Sports Buyer.
Drone says the average person will spend $800 to $1,100 on a new boat. Over the weekend a man walked into their shop and purchased one.
"He's trying to get it ready and get it up to his cabin. So when the ice goes out over in Wisconsin he'll have a chance to get it on the water immediately," said Drone.
Drone says this week's warm weather is sign that spring will make an appearance, but for some it won't come soon enough.
"Our perception of cold is kind of warped when you talk to people around the country. In the 30 degrees they're hibernating and we're celebrating," said Juster.
