Hamilton businesses brave winter storm to welcome customers

Despite the snow and cold temperatures, many small businesses in Hamilton’s east end opened up their doors for customers today.

After the worst snow storm we’ve seen so far this winter, businesses along Hamilton’s Ottawa Street North are clearing a path for customers.

“It’s actually the first time this season I’ve had to shovel, so I was pretty excited to break out the shovel,” said Rin Mallard, manager at 4Cats Art Studio.

“It’s not bad. The city does shovel because we’re on a bus route, the city does do the sidewalks. I just want to get it clear for people who are out walking earlier than that. I live close by so I didn’t have to drive in, so I probably wouldn’t have made the trek if it was dangerous out there,” said Ariane Clark from Empire Make Space.

And while some shops shut their doors for the day due to the treacherous conditions, others are embracing them — like Murray’s Farm Butcher Shoppe.

“Today, because it’s so snowy, we want to reward the customers that do come in. So we have a two-pack of sausage deal, a three-pack of ground beef deal. So that hopefully it will draw some customers out,” said Kezia from Murray’s Farm Butcher Shoppe.

READ MORE: Environment Canada upgrades Hamilton, Niagara snowfall warning from yellow to orange

“It’s business as usual. Weather doesn’t stop me,” said Peter Campagna from Poke Co.

The weather may not stop Campagna and Poke Co, but he says it will likely impact his take-out orders.

“All deliveries will be surge pricing, if you can get a delivery driver because most of them aren’t going to drive in this. So that’s going to be the bulk of my business today, people coming in who can’t get deliveries,” said Campagna.

The snow banks were pretty high on Ottawa Street and the snow continued to fall throughout the day – which meant not a lot of people out and about, though there were a few dedicated patrons making their way to the small businesses in the area.

And even as Hamilton and much of Southern Ontario deals with a very snowy winter so far, local businesses are finding the foot traffic is steady — and makes it worth braving the storm to come in.

“We’ve actually had more foot traffic than normal, which has been really lovely. Even with the snow, people like to get out and I guess Hamiltonians are used to the weather,” said Mallard.

“I can’t pay my mortgage sitting at home. I’ve got to earn a living. I’ve got to eat, my kid’s got to eat, my cat’s got to eat,” said Campagna.

READ MORE: Hamilton Health Sciences warns heavy snow shoveling may raise heart attack risk