What is normally a very busy time of year business-wise, with the last hurrah being Labor Day weekend, feels a lot like slack. Hotels that should be packed have signs that read “Vacancy.” Coffee shops have been closing right after lunch. Clothing stores, which normally open around 10 a.m., are opening just before noon. Even banks have been keeping fewer hours.
When asked if the fire is affecting business, Gary Hunt of Iconoclast Books doesn’t mince words, “It’s killing us.” For non-profits like the NexStage Theater, things could not be worse. All events at the theater have been cancelled leaving them with no income until November.
Other stores are trying not to be as affected by the Castle Rock Fire. At the Elephant’s Perch, hours have been shortened, doors opening at 11 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m, The Perch’s Liza Wilson says, “The fire is affecting us. Yes, it’s…slow.” But they are moving forward with their Labor Day sale. For them, the fire is more like having a bad winter, which is nothing new for the valley.
Nappy Neaman at the Perch is quick to remind us that many businesses in the Valley have been here for decades and have overcome setbacks before like the Yellowstone Fire and a partial closing of Baldy,
In other words, while the Castle Rock fire is not the best for keeping business at usual, it is really a small glitch when it comes to our local businesses. But with support from the community and our locals’ famous positive attitudes, they too will survive
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