Business as usual for some; others take a snow day

Stores were in business Saturday despite the nearly two feet of fresh snow blanketing the region. But some decided closing early was a good option because of the drop in sales and the temperature.

"Business actually hasn't been bad. It's been very steady," said Pat Padilla, store director for Scolaris, 2100 Highway 50 East. "Most of our people made it to work and we've got a few four-wheel drives here and have gone out and got (employees)."

Padilla said Thursday and Friday business was busy as people were stocking up on staples.

Dairy manager Donald Parker at Smith's Food and Drug, 599 E. William St., said he didn't notice a drop in business in light of the white-out conditions outside.

"We're pretty much going to hit our projections," he said, noting the pre-storm rush was the equivalent of pre-Christmas sales. "Our store is so wiped out now."

For Dave and Lynne Cox, owners of Grocery Outlet, 1831 N. Carson St., the weather was putting a damper on their usually busy Saturdays. Lynne Cox said she sent most of her employees home, and called others to tell them to stay in. Closing is generally at 8 p.m., but the Coxes, who are from Carson City, decided to wrap it up at 6.

"I think the closest snowstorm I've ever seen to this was the year of the flood," she said. "I spun out this morning going to the bank and ended up face to face with a police officer." She said she waved at the officer and he waved back as he kept on going.

Port Of Subs closing manager Christy Shipman and one employee were the only two left in the shop at 1621 Highway 50 East by 4 p.m.

"Most people are going through the drive-through," she said. "We're most definitely closing early."

For Richard Finn, his family's introduction to Carson City has been an interesting "initiation with all the extremes," he said. He moved to Kings Canyon from the Bay area days before the wildfire that raged through, consuming 18 homes, and now as the new owner of Grand Central Pizza, 3965 S. Carson St., he was drowning in snow.

"We had our crew show up this morning and were open for lunch business. We've done a lot of delivery business - more than we usually do on a Saturday," he said.

Normal closing time for the shop is 10 p.m., but Finn said he'd close at 8. "I just don't want any (employees) to be on the roads past that."

Yet for some lucky merchants in Carson City, snow means a brisker business than average.

The woman who answered the phone Capitol Cab Co., laughed when asked how business was.

"I don't have time to talk to you now, honey," she said chuckling. "We are just swamped."

Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.