|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
01/07/2007Mother Nature hurting businesses
Pete Kocefas, owner of Sledheads of Frederic, said this was the first time in 10 years he was not open during the New Year’s holiday because there was simply no snow. GRAYLING — Jerry Balmes gave up on this winter tourism season weeks ago. He's not even going to open his ski resort, Skyline Ski and Country Club in Grayling. "Anyone with a business in northern Michigan is a gambler. We gamble on the weather. Sometimes we win. This winter we lose,” Balmes said from his deserted lodge as he peered outside at a dry ski run. The combination of no snow, high expenses, a sluggish economy and very few tourists helped Balmes decide to remain closed this winter, he said. Snow-dependent businesses across the region are feeling a financial crunch as the white stuff continues to elude the northern stretches of the Lower Peninsula. Many business owners say it's going to be a difficult since no significant snowfall is forecast anytime soon. Pete Kocefas owns Sledheads of Frederic, a small parts and equipment shop across the street from the main state-designated snowmobile trail between Grayling and Gaylord. "This place is like a faucet. If there's snow, they pour through the door. If there's not, I might as well lock the door,” Kocefas said. He's done just that. Of late, Kocefas stops by the shop only to work on other businesses, such as a sign and T-shirt printing operation and his recent foray into real estate. "I do about 10 different things because if I had to depend on this snowmobile business alone, I'd be right out of here,” he said. Chuck Freese owns White's Sales and Service, a business he just moved from Cheboygan to Pellston, right next to a snowmobile trail. He said he noticed a trend of less snowfall each year and decided to stop selling high-powered sleds. Now he just makes repairs. "I haven't had to service many at all, just a couple in October and November. Since then, nobody's been able to break one. Think of all the money people are saving,” Freese said. He has sold some all-terrain vehicles for trail-riding in recent weeks, he said. "People are out riding ATVs instead,” Freese said. Visitors to Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls have about 13 downhill ski runs to use from among the 52 paths at the resort, said general manager Ed Grice. "We'll make snow any chance we get,” he said. "Making snow is the best insurance policy you can get.” Many guests have otherwise occupied themselves at the indoor water park, the spa and dining facilities, Grice said. "The water park has been a blessing,” he said. Other snow-based businesses also rely on additional options to stay afloat, such as Moonlight Services in Petoskey. Owner Jim Gray said his snowplowing company also does dock installation through the summer, as well as general maintenance contracts. "It's definitely hurting. Actually, we did plow about four times when we had that storm in December. It should be around 10 or 12 plows by now,” he said. Gray said he and every other plowman hopes for three inches of fluffy snow every couple of days, but the forecast doesn't look good. Meteorologist Mike Cellitti, of the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said the area will continue to see mild weather into next week. "There could be some cold air behind the system, but whether that will work into snow, we don't know yet. We don't have a real high likelihood of significant snowfall right now,” Cellitti said.
|
|
