By Matt Howatt
Ottawa’s recent cold snap has meant increases in sales for some local businesses, but has left others with a decline in customers and dreams of the spring.
“The long underwear, the tuques, the mitts and neck warmers and all of these accessories have sold a lot better,” says Jean Dextras, manager of Elgin Sports.
The weather in Ottawa has been so frigid this January that extreme cold-weather alerts were issued by the Ottawa Medical Officer of Health on Jan. 21, 22 and 27. On those days the wind-chill drove the temperature down to -35 C or colder.
“It’s been a benefit to our business because we’ve sold quite a bit more winter accessories than we would have if it had not been so cold,” Dextras says. “Some of the winter jackets have sold that maybe we wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for the cold.”
However, some Centretown businesses are not praising the cold conditions. Many count on the rush of lunchtime customers from surrounding offices for revenue during the year. In the past weeks these customers have been staying in their office lunchrooms rather than venturing out into the cold weather, says Jim McCabe, assistant manager at Moore’s Clothing for Men.
“People from the nearby offices generally come in during their lunch breaks between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. but lately we’ve noticed a decline in numbers during that time.” Despite the decline in customers, adventurous shoppers are coming into Moore’s with specific items in mind.
“We’ve been selling items like scarves and other winter accessories,” says McCabe.
With the cold weather freezing out some customers McCabe says he and the staff at Moore’s are already looking forward to spring and the promise of warmer weather.
“We already have our lighter jackets and other spring items in the store. People are coming in and starting to look for cruise-wear,” he says.
Further down the icy road at the Royal Oak on Bank St. patrons have not been settling in for their usual ice-cold beer lately. The cold snap has brought out a desire for something warmer.
“We’re selling lots of Spanish coffee and hot-rum toddies,” says manager Cathy Stevenson.
With several cold weeks still remaining, some Centretown businesses will have to ride out the winter supplying long underwear and hot drinks. Others will have to bundle up and start anticipating the return of warmer weather and springtime shoppers.