Iona Eden doesn't know why she bothered going in to work Wednesday morning. Eden, owner of Cargo Bay on the Post Road in Fairfield, made the decision to go in. And with the snow coming down in full force by midmorning, she wasn't expecting any customers.
This winter's large amount of snow is wearing down most people in Fairfield. But small shop owners such as Iona are taking it particularly hard. Though she admits she doesn't rely on January and February sales to keep her business going, this season has been especially bad for her bottom line, even when the roads are clear.
"If somebody's been housebound for however many days with all their small children, clothes shopping is not the thing they really have to do," Iona says. "They've got to get to the supermarket. They've got to run their errands."
Peter Oman, who owns The Tennis Spot across the street, reported similar frustrations with the snowy days. His store does most of its business during the spring and summer tennis season, so he's not exactly worried about shutting down. And though he has also spent a few snow days without a single customer, he's not too worried yet.
"If people need something, they'll come in another day," Peter says. "Certainly if it snowed the entire month without stopping, you wouldn't see anybody, but then maybe our sales in February would be better."
With the snow falling Wednesday, Peter turned on coverage of the Australian Open and took care of the little thingspaying bills, making orders, "whatever needs to be done." Iona did much the same, dressing mannequins to take photos for her website. But she did not look at her sales figures, for fear of what they might tell her.
"When I know the numbers aren't good, I tend to bury my head in the snow," Iona says. "It's not going to do me any good. They are what they are."
What do you do when the snow finally clears? Tell us about them in the comments below.
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