Lack of snow hurting Kern County shops
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — On weekends, Bentz Ski Chalet is filled with people looking to buy snow gear before heading up to ski resorts, but this season is different.
"This is slow, because Martin Luther King Jr. Day would be generating business for going on Sunday and Monday. People would be in here to get it," owner Doug Bentz said.
For local retailers, no snow at resorts and ski parks translates to only a few customers in the store. That is especially true for Bentz, who specializes in selling snow equipment.
"The people who have man-made snow have been working extra hard to make snow on the runs that are open. There is skiing, and it is good on the groomed runs, but it isn't abundant in any way," Bentz said.
There is some snow in parts of California, but Bentz said he isn't used to seeing his business as slow at it has been.
"Last year, we were down in the repair said, on the rental side, on the hardware and the clothing side," Bentz said.
But surprisingly, this season isn't the worst he has seen it.
"In 1976 and 1977. Those were the driest conditions, and that is the worst it was," Bentz said.
Although there is still no snow in the mountains, he is having a positive attitude about the season.
"I'm optimistic, because as long as we have been in this period it can't stay this way much longer. Change is around the corner," Bentz said.
Eyewitness News spoke with other retailers in the area and they all said they are feeling the pinch this season.
"This is slow, because Martin Luther King Jr. Day would be generating business for going on Sunday and Monday. People would be in here to get it," owner Doug Bentz said.
For local retailers, no snow at resorts and ski parks translates to only a few customers in the store. That is especially true for Bentz, who specializes in selling snow equipment.
"The people who have man-made snow have been working extra hard to make snow on the runs that are open. There is skiing, and it is good on the groomed runs, but it isn't abundant in any way," Bentz said.
There is some snow in parts of California, but Bentz said he isn't used to seeing his business as slow at it has been.
"Last year, we were down in the repair said, on the rental side, on the hardware and the clothing side," Bentz said.
But surprisingly, this season isn't the worst he has seen it.
"In 1976 and 1977. Those were the driest conditions, and that is the worst it was," Bentz said.
Although there is still no snow in the mountains, he is having a positive attitude about the season.
"I'm optimistic, because as long as we have been in this period it can't stay this way much longer. Change is around the corner," Bentz said.
Eyewitness News spoke with other retailers in the area and they all said they are feeling the pinch this season.
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