SAUGATUCK, Mich. — Business owners in Saugatuck say cloudy days are continuing to put a damper on their business.
Many are staying optimistic and hoping sunny days will come soon, along with customers. But if the slow trend continues, some worry there may not be a future to look forward to.
“We need people walking around a lot in the streets,” says Boardwalk Deli Owner Erhan Kara. “Otherwise we won’t be here next year if it just keeps going like that because we need the warm days.”
Though summer doesn’t officially start until Friday, late spring hasn’t brought many warm and sunny days.
“Around this time, on Saturdays and Sundays especially, lots of people just walking by could hardly get passed some people on the sidewalk just wall to wall people crowding the sidewalk and we’re just not having that this year so far,” says Premier Dead Sea’s Susan Kuhn.
Businesses with outdoor seating are hurting the most. For those along the waterfront, there is more than clouds to worry about.
“So, there’s two things happening there’s obviously the weather, the rain which yes it slows down business with the outdoor restaurants and then there’s the potential of the flood. The rain is a bummer and I think if we don’t get a flood, we’re all pretty happy and summer is going to come,” says Eric Chaitin, Mermaid Bar & Grill owner.
But many are remaining optimistic.
“As long as the weather is 70 degrees even if it rains it’s still good, get an umbrella,” said Kara.
