RICHFIELD, Minn. – Whether you call it weird, bizarre or downright weird, one thing is for sure – this winter has been anything but what we're used to.
Across the metro and state, we've seen dozens of events cancel, postpone or adapt their winter weather events thanks to the warm temperatures we've seen recently.
But for those businesses that are turning more toward warmer weather, it's causing some excitement — business is booming. At Dan's Nicollet Car Wash in Richfield, general manager Raul Ramirez says they've been staying busy, especially with a string of 50-plus degree days.
“I'm not very busy compared to yesterday. The temperature dropped a little today,” he said. “Thursday was very busy, and the line never stops here.”
“We had a lot of people come in,” Ramirez added.
Take a look around, and it's easy to see – the lines were long on Saturday afternoon, and many were enjoying the weather.
“I mean I can't complain!” Ron Walker said. “I just hope it's not zero in July.”
It doesn't matter where you are in the metro – many businesses are taking advantage of the strangely warm weather.
“We've had warmer areas, but never snow-free, you know, at the end of January,” said Brian Kegel, general manager at Wayzata Bay Car Wash. “It's not really winter, it's more spring.”
Also staying busy – mechanics.
“Business has been really good, and I would say it's probably a record January if you go and look at the books,” said Bill Freiberg, owner of Bill's Service Garage in Hopkins.
You won't hear him complain though.
“People start moving when it's warm, and we all become kind of cavemen in this cold weather,” Freiberg said.
So, while the sun is shining — at least for now — these companies are taking it all in, and the business that comes with it.
“You know how beautiful Minnesota is today, and then tomorrow it could be, 10 or 20 inches,” said Tyrone Jaromnis, a customer at Dan Nicolet's Car Wash. “I'm surprised it's not!”
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