Businesses: Windy days mean fewer customers

Paul Ramirez, middle, and his son Sergio, left, purchase a drill extension Thursday at Burns Do It Center. Burns cashier, Patty Gallus rings Ramirez up.

Crystal Shelton, left, purchases popcorn, candy and drinks while renting movies and games Thursday at Talico Video and Book Exchange. Talico cashier, Faye Merchant rings Shelton up.

When winds go up in Clovis, business goes down.

Mariah Smith said she becomes bored on windy days as business slows at the Hilltop Escape Salon and Day Spa. Instead of keeping busy answering phones, setting up appointments and building rapport with clients, the part-time receptionist has to sweep dirt and leaves out of the business.

"I'd rather look outside and see the beautiful weather than see the gloominess and the wind blowing all the trash around," Smith said.

Thursday gusts reached 59 mph at Cannon Air Force Base and 56 mph in Texico, according to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Albuquerque.

Smith said business at Hilltop Escape Salon and Day Spa is about 25 percent slower during high-wind days. She said hair appointments are often canceled during high winds.

"When you get your hair done and walk out it gets all messed up," Smith said.

Travis Herrington, owner of The Lunchbox on Main Street, said business at his eatery is cut almost in half on windy days.

Herrington said his business typically serves between 40 and 60 customers during business hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. He said when winds are high, that number is cut to between 25 and 30 customers.

"I don't cut staff or do anything differently on a windy day cause there's only two of us," Herrington said. "We just go with the customers we've got. The only positive side to a day like this is if you own wind mill electric generators."

James A. Burns, owner of Burns Do It Center on Prince Street, said business was down about 20 percent Thursday. Burns said his business sells to many roofers, whose work is slow on windy days. He said the only positive side is that employees have more time to accomplish back work.

"The thing about a retail business is that there's always plenty to do," Burns said.

"If we don't have many customers right now, we have lots to do to get our merchandise up on the shelves."

Tanya Gonzales, assistant manager of Talico Video and Book Exchange on Prince Street, said the store's drive-through is around 30 percent busier on windy days. She said customers do not like to get out of their vehicles in the wind.

"We get more customers at the window, but we like them to come inside," Gonzales said.

Magaret Hinchee, director of Clovis-Carver Library, said business at the library was about 30 percent slower Thursday. She said business is down about 50 percent during wet windy weather.

"When people are aware of high winds coming they check out books and movies a day before," Hinchee said.

Daytime highs will be in upper 40s today and Saturday with a chance of snow showers. Temperatures will drop into the mid to upper 20s this weekend, then start to climb Sunday, with highs in the 70s the beginning of next week, according to the NWS.