Winter Woes for NEK Businesses

Details: Created on Thursday, 04 February 2016 19:14; Written by Dylan Clark

NORTHEAST KINGDOM- The lack of snow and freezing temperatures has left a lot of residents in the Northeast Kingdom happy this winter season. However, not all are excited about the change to warmer weather, including those who rely on the cold to bring steady income to their businesses.

This year has seen unusually warm temperatures in January and early February, leading to a noticeable decline in tourists visiting the area. The Northeast Kingdom is especially known for its winter season, attracting outdoor enthusiasts interested in what the mountains have to offer.

Small local businesses like the Willoburke Inn and Lodge typically expect significant snowfall from December through early March, however this year green grass is still in eyesight, causing a delay in tourism to the area.

Alivia Libby, the assistant manager of the Willoburke Inn and Lodge, believes this year’s lack of snow is to blame for the empty bedrooms so far.

“We have to pay our banks, we have people who work for us, their families count on us, as there’s certainly a lot of pressure," said Libby. "[However] if you know you had a busy season then you put money in the bank account knowing this inevitably would happen.”

Low occupancy is a concern to those who run local hotels and inns in the Northeast Kingdom, forcing small businesses to get inventive with finding ways to make ends meet.

“We know there is going to be bad seasons, rainy summers, or snowless winters, so you have to build a business that isn’t so weather dependent, and focuses on other things,” said Libby.

Hotels and inns are not the only businesses around the area having to get creative with the way they find income.

Spencer Hudson, owner of All Around Power in Saint Johnsbury, has had to rely on other forms of business in order to keep money flowing in.

“We had some pretty good success with the side by side still, because people may not be buying a snowmobile they may be buying a side by side," Hudson says. He also mentions along with selling other non-traditional winter vehicles, there are other things to do.

“I mean lucky for us in this business, we always got plenty to do," he says. "I mean there’s a lot of roads and a lot of stuff out there to take care of and still maintain."

But of course when it comes down to it, the money that comes in from people living outside the state of Vermont is what is really hurting businesses this time of year.

For the most part, hope is still alive for businesses that require winter weather to thrive.

“I don’t think all is lost, yes it is a bad winter all around, however we are one or two snow storms away from being great,” said Libby.