Snow On The Way Is Bringing Cheers To Local Businesses
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) -- Snow removal hasn't been a big problem these days, a fact not lost on Lorene Hanson. She's the president of Track in Bloomington, which specializes in the sales of Snowcats, snowmobile and ski run groomers.
"Last year we had sales that had been put into motion the prior year, so it wasn't too bad. This has been our tough year because we had no snow last year and this year nothing significant, so it has really put a stress on our business," said Hanson.
Another company doing a figurative snow dance is Twin Cities Outdoor Services in Plymouth, a snow and ice removal company servicing retail and commercial businesses.
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"We not only remove snow for our clients' walkways and parking areas, but we also chemically treat these areas for ice, to reduce our clients liability in winter months," said Owner and President Steve Bartz.
He said he was able to squeak by last year despite the lack of snow because he still needed to chemically treat icy areas where people walked and parked their cars.
"It was quite surprising to us but we used just as much chemical last year than in a snowy year, due to ice treatment, still we would rather have the snow," said Bartz.
It's not the same situation back in Bloomington, where Hanson's business suffered from a drop off in business not just in Minnesota, but in her entire Midwest region due to a light snow fall.
"The groomers and snow cats were not out running so parts were not being ordered and new equipment was not needed. The (lack of) desire for replacement parts really put a stress on our business, and the late start to this winter is adding to that stress," she said.
Steve Bartz, who employs his own meteorologist, may have reason for Hanson to smile however. He said a normal Minnesota winter is on its way.
"We believe starting this week and from Dec. 18 onward, we will get normal snowfalls in Minnesota and it will be a white Christmas for the Twin Cities, with a back loaded winter into January and February," said Bartz.
It's good news for winter frolickers and those who turn snowflakes into cold hard cash.
