Ice storm is boon or bane to local businesses
Ice storm equals sales for liquor store
Staff writer
Don Vinduska of Marion had experienced numerous ice storms over the years while farming. However, last week was the first time he'd ever dealt with an ice storm as the owner of a liquor store.
"We were very busy," he said.
Sales at D&J Liquor in Marion were higher than normal this past week, Vinduska said.
"Businesses were closed. People were off work and at home so many stopped by to get something to make a hot toddy, peppermint patty, or just a glass of wine to sip," Vinduska said.
With eight candles and three lanterns in place, Don and his wife, Jeannie, kept the store open until a little after dark.
"We opened at 9 a.m. and then closed earlier around 6:30 p.m. — about the time Carlsons' closed — because it was just getting too dark," Vinduska said.
Interestingly enough, the temperature in the store really never became intolerable.
During the first afternoon of the ice storm, the temperature inside the store hovered around 68 degrees. The second day, the temperature stayed around 55 degrees.
The third day — after the Artic blast — the temperature was a balmy 50 degrees.
