Winter Weather Challenges Some Area Retailers

Sub-zero wind chills, snow and ice have caused some people to stay home and out of stores. And some local business owners say they're feeling the effects. Carolyn Maloney, who owns 39 Below Zero Frozen Yogurt on East Gay Street, said her business' niche puts her at a disadvantage during winter. So Maloney said she sells breakfast, grilled cheese and hot cocoa to accommodate winter palates and to boost revenue. "Being downtown we really count foot traffic," she said. "So, when people aren't going outside or doing anything, it doesn't matter what you're selling. People aren't coming outside. Last week, we were only open for three days." Being forced to close, Maloney said, is devastating to the business. She said she has had to cut some worker's hours. "That is a dramatic loss," she said. But Maloney said this winter is better than 2014. "Last year, I wasn't entirely sure we'd make it through the spring," she said. "This year, I'm not as worried, we have enough of a cushion. But it's a scary thing, especially those days when you wake up and you look and all the schools are cancelled and it's a negative wind chill and you know you can't open your doors." Down the street from the frozen yogurt shop, Capitol Square Printing - in business for more than 40 years - has felt the effects of the frigid temps. President Marilyn Smith said she's noticed walk-in business, which accounts for about 40 percent of her clients, has slowed the past couple of weeks. "They try to do things over the phone and over email instead of coming out. But it has affected us somewhat." By some economists' estimates, last year's polar vortex had an economic impact of about $5 billion.