The waves of wintry weather during these past few weeks are taking a toll on business owners in Middletown.
“We’re very tired of these storms. We’ve had what feels like more than our share,” says Neal Marianiello, owner of New England Emporium.
The eatery is usually filled with people ordering homemade crepes, panini, and burgers.
But Marianiello says all the snow piling up outside has cut down on the number of customers inside his restaurant. He estimates sales have been down up to thirty-percent.
“We rely on foot traffic and any time there is actual snow people stay away and even the forecast of snow keeps people away,” says Marianiello.
There is on-street parking outside the eatery but these spots cannot be used during parking bans.
Marianiello says he's had to cut back on staffing, but he’s not waiting until spring for customers to return.
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“We’re thinking about running some discounts in these winter months to try and bring people, entice them to come in,” says Marianiello.
Tina’s Fine Lingerie & Swimwear, another business in the area closed early due to the parking ban that started at 6p.m.
One of the owners says between the bans and all the snow they’ve had to close their doors up to five days.
“That’s a lot. That’s a lot. You average over 7 days you lost one day every week,” says Tina Fine, co-owner of Tina’s Fine Lingerie & Swimwear.
Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew says these parking bans are a balance between trying not to inconvenience people too much but also trying to get the roads cleared as quickly as possible.
As of now, they are not sure how long the parking ban which started Sunday night will last.
