I haven’t seen the word “Snowmageddon” in print/pixel yet, but I’m assuming it’s only a matter of time, if predictions of the impending winter storm turn out to be accurate.
It certainly wouldn’t be the first bad weather Canadian restaurateurs have contended with in recent years, but on the upside, there are lessons to be learned from this winter’s bad storms that have repeatedly hit our neighbours to the south.
Last week, SmartBlog on Restaurants identified “7 Bright Spots in the Snow” for foodservice establishments, including delivery (“a mixed blessing,” bad weather boosts demand for delivery but can make driving hazardous), free wi-fi (“coffee shops with free internet … were rewarded with crowds of people who needed a connection after they lost power”) and social media (“(restaurants) are tweeting their status, either to let regulars know they’re closed or offer storm-weary patrons a place to get away from reality for a bit”).
The news, of course, is not all good. In Calgary, there are reports that snow bites into eateries’ profits, while during last month’s storms in Atlantic Canada, “businesses were closed … roads crumbled and residents hunkered down.”
Here’s hoping that Wiarton Willie and Shubenacadie Sam bring us good news on Wednesday!
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