Businesses that depend on the snow are relieved

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Monday’s snowfall in the Kansas City area is a long-awaited pay-day for businesses that depend on snow.  

Derek Smith, owner of Derek’s Lawn Care, of Kansas City, Mo., said he is doing the happy dance.  Smith does snow removal in the wintertime and said that this is the longest he’s had to wait for snow.

“It’s been tough because after all the snow we had last winter, I purchased a truck hoping that I would be able to easily pay for that truck with money from this year’s winter snow removal,” said Smith.

While one day of snow will not cover all his expenses, Smith said that he is glad to be working again and glad to be making some money.  He’s also hoping more snow will be coming soon.

American Midwest Distributors in the Northland are also seeing green because of the snowfall. Company president, Tom Elafros, said that their supplies of salt have been simply sitting in the warehouse collecting dust.

“Once snow was in the forecast we had a big rush on ice from the independent snow removal operators,” explained Elafros.

Snow is also big business for bird seed suppliers like Backyard Bird Center also in the Northland.

“When there is snow on the ground, birds cannot get to their food,” owner Mark McKellar explained.

“Saturday was one of our biggest sales for bird seed this winter,” McKeller added.