Mild winter helps some businesses, hurts others

LYNN – While the mild, snowless winter to date has enticed more people to dine out, it has hurt other businesses who depend on the white stuff, leaving many winter items sitting on hardware store shelves and private plow trucks parked.Steven Castraberti, owner of Prince Pizzeria and Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus, said he has been doing “absolutely, positively better business” because of the unusually mild early winter.?There is a direct correlation to my business and the weather in the wintertime,” he said.December was a very profitable month for the restaurant, he said, as opposed to the same time last year. But when the snow does come, he said his usual patrons often avoid Route 1, where his restaurant is located.?You can be there with your doors open, lights on, parking lot plowed and there?s very little business,” Castraberti said, adding people might choose a neighborhood place or just stay inside.Castraberti said he is realistic in knowing that bad weather will come, so he is patiently awaiting moving into the spring.?The countdown?s on for me to the end of February,” he said.Tom Dill, owner of Lazy Dog Sports Bar in Lynn, said his business is not negatively affected when the snow falls.?Even when it snows, we do pretty well,” he said. “Maybe not in the height of the storm, but before and after, we still do pretty well.”The only issue the restaurant faces, he said, is less parking availability if snow accumulates.Without the typical winter storms we?ve come to expect though, local hardware stores are having trouble moving seasonal merchandise.John Siccone, co-owner of Beden Hardware in Lynn, said sales on items like shovels and ice melt have been slow.?We haven?t really sold anything,” he said. “(No snow) definitely affects business.”Therefore, Siccone said, he is looking forward to any upcoming precipitation.?We would like to see it, because we do snow blower repairs,” he said.Tim Tenney, owner of the Wyoma Square True Value in Lynn, also said he is awaiting the “winter excitement.” He also advised to prepare for bad weather early.?A lot of people wait until the snow comes, but it?s better to get it first,” he said.And there?s been virtually no work for private snow contractors who are holding out that Ol? Man Winter will bite down soon.Patricia Janes, vice president and secretary of Janes Corporation in Lynn, said the business has been supported by the other services it offers, such as commercial sweeping maintenance. However, her husband, David Janes, the corporation?s president, has already had to make allowances for potential winter weather. That included getting his plows in working order and purchasing salt, Patricia Janes said.?It is a big investment, but what are you going to do?” she said. “You can?t make it snow. You just have to be prepared.”Sarah Mupo can be reached at [email protected].