Some Businesses Laugh All The Way To Snow Bank

Washington businesses were reeling under the one-two punch of winter storms, some because they’ve had to close their doors and others because they’re overrun with customers - and sometimes running out of supplies.

The state’s chief economist said Tuesday that the net impact of the storms could be a small gain for the economy, given the repairs and construction and retail purchases that will be needed this winter as residents dig out and restore their lives.

For most of the past week, businesses have struggled with power outages, employees unable to get to work, supply shortages, ill-tempered customers, and a feast-or-famine cycle that is enriching some and hurting others.

Some businesses reported booming business - anyone selling batteries, camping gear, lanterns and fuel, firewood, winter clothing, videos, groceries, ice or home repair supplies.

Theaters also have reported huge crowds as people tried to stay warm and ease their cabin fever.

Restaurants said their business - always better than usual during the holiday season - went through the roof.

But at Schuck’s Auto Supply in Yakima, manager Frank Myers sold his last pair of tire chains on Sunday and closed early.

“Once we ran out of chains, we were just irritating everybody,” he said. The store reopened on Monday but anything weather-related, such as snow brushes and window scrapers, disappeared from the shelves.

“The phone rings constantly,” said Ethel Wright, co-owner of Stan’s Merry Mart in Wenatchee. “They’re asking for snow blowers, snow shovels and roof rakes.”

Wright, who has sold about 1,600 shovels already, said a new shipment was stranded between Wenatchee and Yakima.

Some grocers reported huge sales, noting that some customers seemed intent on hoarding.

Chang Mook Sohn, the state’s chief economist, said his guess is that the storm is causing a short-term hit on the economy, but that many sectors will recoup their losses later this winter and spring.

Operators of Cascade Mountain ski areas, hard hit when mountain pass highways were closed, said they hoped weather conditions would improve and that everyone would hit the slopes as soon as the resort areas reopen, as early as today.