It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas with the arrival of seasonal weather. Though last week’s severe winter storm means challenges for business owners reliant on holiday shoppers.
Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, expects a long week for retailers.
“Right now, a lot of businesses are still digging out from the storms over the last few days," Sanderson said. "A lot of businesses are open for the first time in a couple of days, particularly in central South Dakota. What that is absolutely going to do is lead to a crunch here in this last week.
Sanderson said the safety or roads connects to the success of businesses.
“For, oh, a 24-hour period or something basically every road in the state of South Dakota or every major highway was listed by DOT as impassible or travel not advised," Sanderson said. "As a result of that a lot of businesses, and restaurants in particular, were shut down. When you don’t have staff who are able to come to work, it doesn’t make sense for those businesses to stay open.”
That includes businesses like Who’s Toy House in downtown Rapid City. Owner Somer Kingsbury said no retailer wants to close shop this time of year.
“Anytime you have to close your business, especially during fourth quarter, you see that significantly impact your business," Kingsbury said. "A lot of people will be at home, maybe contemplating the things they haven’t completed, just being worried they won’t be able to get out. Maybe panicking a little bit.”
Kingsbury asks shoppers to remember the value of their dollar when shopping at a local small business compared a larger retailer.