PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A winter storm is having an impact on businesses that depend on visitors and locals stopping by to shop.
In Placerville, businesses were eagerly welcoming people in. The possibility of seeing snow has visitors and locals taking advantage of the downtown area.
"Some of us are living here in Placerville, and then some of us are visiting from the Bay area. And this is just kind of the place to come when we want to shop, and we want to buy stuff for people," said Sara Powers-Dudan, a local mother.
But during this time, establishments usually see a drop in business.
"With the weather patterns, when it gets bad, people disappear and the business drops really slow," said Jeff Meader, manager of Placerville News Company on Main Street.
Meader says they actually like the snow, because it brings in skiers and visitors. T.W. Bonkers Toy and Candy Emporium across the street agrees.
"Actually helps with sales. It actually helps with a lot of the businesses downtown. We've actually had a lot of new businesses open. That's very amazing for us," said Abigail Lahaderne, who is an employee at T.W. Bonkers Toy and Candy Emporium.
On Thursday, Kelsey's Needle Krafts had a closed sign due to weather, snow and lack of heat. By Sunday, the sign was still up, but was also thanking people for their support.
The hope now is for the storms to pass and leave behind a lot of snow in Tahoe.
"We're hoping all the skiers and all the people that want to see the snow come up and visit us and come see Placerville, because it's such a great little town, great little restaurants, great little shops. It's really a fun place to come visit," said Meader.
Locals and visitors say it's essential to support the businesses which make Placerville the historical place it is.
"Over the last couple of years, times have been hard for a lot companies and a lot of small businesses, so do your part. Come in and spend some money and have fun," said Gary Jackson, a father visiting from the Bay Area.
Because of all the unexpected weather conditions, places like Bonkers have made social media posts asking customers to call in beforehand to make sure they're open.
WATCH ALSO:
