Storm a week before Christmas 'devastating' to some Island businesses

Some P.E.I. businesses say thewinter storm pounding the Island couldn't have hit at a worse time the week before Christmas.

Bob Young, the owner ofBob's General Store and the two Price-Mart storesin Charlottetown, saidthis is usually his busiest week of the year.

But the nasty weather late Monday and Tuesday has kept most customers away.

A lost day of sales

"Today, we'll see an 80, 90 per centloss in sales," Young said.

"We know we're going to have some snow usually.We just pray as retailers thisdoesn't happen this week. It's devastating."

Dan MacDonald, the owner of Bookmark, an independent book store in downtown Charlottetown, saidhisChristmas sales are taking a hit as well.

"This is going to put a dent in the month big time. And when you lose a day, it's lost," MacDonald said.

"We might be a little bit busier in the coming days.But we'll never make back what we lose today."

So it hurts.It's the holiday season.- Joseph Sammoun, owner of Shaddy'sRestaurant

Some restaurants are feeling the impact as well.

At noontime on Tuesday normally a busy time at Shaddy'sRestaurant,all the tables were empty.

Staying open for staff

"My waitresses, they lose their salary.And myself, I lose the business," said Joseph Sammoun, Shaddy's owner.

"So it hurts.It's the holiday season."

Young saidwith so few people out shopping, it likely didn't make financial sense for him to even open his stores Tuesday.

Some businessesdid stay closed.

Serving shoppers 'key motivation'

But Youngsaid,as long as his staff were comfortable coming in, he wanted to give them a chance to earn a paycheque.

"I didn't want to see my girls not have the money for Christmas.So that's why I made that decision [to open]," he said.

Bookmark's owner saidwhile he may haveoperated at a loss as well Tuesday, he doesn't regret it.

"I think it's important to be open to serve the people that want to come out and shop. That's our key motivation for being here,"MacDonaldsaid.

"If we were closed, those people aren't going to be happy."

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