Friday, July 30, 1999
Businesses boom, bust in heat
The Cincinnati Enquirer Enquirer Business Staff
Some Tristate merchants and entrepreneurs are cursing the brutal temperatures, saying the summer blast is costing them significant sales and forcing layoffs. Others are celebrating the heat wave. Cash registers are ringing as people grab air conditioners, race to water parks and spend thousands on new pools.
Here's a look at some of the business community's winners and losers:
Winners
• Few things will push someone into buying an pool like a string of 90-degree days.
Fred Caston, owner of Cincinnati Pool & Patio in Evendale said he's seeing two to three above-ground pools purchased a day. Normally this time of year, he doesn't sell one a day.
“I'm sure the heat had a lot to do with pushing people over the edge with making purchases,” he said.
It's the busiest summer the company has seen since 1988, Mr. Caston said. Cincinnati Pool is booked for installing in-ground pools through year's end.
The one irony: Cincinnati Pool's showroom lacks air conditioning, so Mr. Caston has cut days short by one hour and closes at 7 p.m.
• Dan Reupert, co-owner of Reupert Heating & Air Conditioning Co. said demand for air conditioning services and installation has jumped by about 10 percent.
That has meant longer hours for his crew. The Westwood company's 20 or so workers are punching in an extra 20 to 25 a week.
“Typically, when it goes up to that high level of 90s for long periods of time, people who would sweat it out buy air conditioners,” he said.
• If it's not raining, someone has to provide the water for trees and shrubs. Enter Louiso Lawn Care & Landscape Inc.
Business has gotten a boost because the hot sun is drying plants. Last summer, the company sent employees out every other week for watering services. This summer, it's sending out employees twice a week.
• Mike Kroeger at Kroeger & Sons in Findlay Market said the hot weather seems to be helping his business.
“Every summer, business slows down because of the heat,” he said. “But this year, I'd have to say it's not as bad as other years.”
Mr. Kroeger credits the quality of the farmers at the market this year for the increased business.
Thomas Jackson, market manager for the city, said it doesn't hurt that the historic Over-the-Rhine market is air-conditioned.
Losers
• Joseph Auto Group, Cincinnati's largest car dealer with 17 franchises, said fewer folks are braving the heat to shop for a new car.
Sales of new and used vehicles in July are down 15 percent from May, said Lou Rouse, executive vice president of Joseph Auto Group.
“People don't want to go out and shop with it as hot as it's been,” he said.
• Paramount's Kings Island officials hope the heat wave ends soon.
Crowds have dropped about 3 percent this week because of the sizzling conditions.
“It hasn't affected us much, until the last couple days,” spokesman Bill Mefford said. “People are getting tired of it going on and on, this heat without a break. It's had an impact on us. We'll see how it goes from here.”
• There are no long lines at Etter's Miniature Golf in Evendale.
Business at the recreation center is down about 50 percent, said Chad Hall, assistant manager. And this is supposed to be the busiest time of year.
The result: The course has reduced its daily staff.
“We've seen a big decline,” he said. “We usually have two people here. (Now) most times we get by with just one.”
• The extended heat wave has caused sales to plunge by 20 percent from a year ago for the landscaping company Jeffrey Allen Corp. in Northgate.
“There's a loss of production because you can't work normally,” Vice President Jeff Bresnen said.
Its employees are working eight to 10 hours less a week and cutting back on Saturdays to give them two-day weekends.
Because of the drought, the company has also curtailed some plant installment projects.
• Too hot for ice cream? That seems to be the case at the 12 company-owned Graeter's ice cream shops in the Tristate.
President Kathy Graeter said sweets lovers aren't coming in for cones and sundaes during the day because of the heat.
“It can even get too hot for ice cream,” she said. “People really haven't been coming out in the daytime. When it cools down in the evening things usually pick up.”
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