Business holding their own
When it comes to doing business in Bonners Ferry, Boardwalk Boutique owner Anne Bonar can count on one thing.
When the timber industry is down, so are sales at her downtown clothing store because people have less “disposable” income.
Despite a national recession that’s continued into a second summer, sales for the most part are “OK” at the Boardwalk Boutique.
“It’s really too early to tell (this summer) because I don’t get my push from tourists until after the Fourth (of July),” Bonar said. “Things are going all right. It will be really quiet and then you’ll get really busy.”
From department stores to discounters, sales remained on a downward trend for retailers in June, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Same-store sales dropped 4.9 percent last month, in line with projections, as retailers contended with an unemployment rate approaching double digits and a lack of stimulus checks that helped spur some buying last year.
Far North Outfitters
Far North Outfitters is bucking the national trend, said manager Chris Langan.
“Business is great,” Langan said. “I think a lot more people are shopping locally. We’ve been selling a bunch of bikes, kayaks and fishing stuff.”
He believes the South Hill store that offers outdoor clothing and gear is where it hopes to be financially.
“We will do an average of 70 tickets a day,” Langan said. “The last few days, we’ve done 150 to 200.”
He believes the warmer weather triggered increased sales.
Les Schwab
Business at Les Schwab tires in Bonners Ferry is down about 12 percent, according to manager Jay Wages.
Wages blames it on the downturn in the lumber and construction industries.
“I think the majority of the community is employed by the logging industry,” he said. “When they’re not working, they don’t buy tire. When they (contractors) aren’t building, they’re not wearing out tires.”
The South Hill business has 12 full-time and one part-time employee. During winter’s peak, Les Schwab employs up to 20.
“I haven’t laid anybody off, but we cut back a little on hours,” Wages said.
Full-time employees normally get four to five hours overtime. That’s not the case right now.
Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa
“Things are picking up,” said manager Tom Turpin. “This is an unprecedented compared to past summers.”
The 65-room Best Western hotel, which includes 500 casino gaming machines, a spa and restaurant is seeing southbound and northbound Canadians and folks heading to Glacier National Park.
“I think it’s shaping up to be a good summer,” Turpin said. “Our occupancy level is strong, the weather is shaping up and the economy is shaping up. It’s a slow heal, but I think people are starting to enjoy themselves.