Though it could be 90 levels exterior, Maine hasn’t had the warmest or driest summer time this yr.
Mainers and vacationers have come to anticipate rain or fog this summer time, however how has the climate affected native companies that depend on an excellent tourism season?
“The rain is killing enterprise,” stated Cory Hutchinson, common supervisor of Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco.
A Mainebiz ballot a pair weeks in the past requested readers, “Has the wet summer time affected your small business?”
Out of 173 votes, 41% stated the rain has restricted out of doors actions, limiting enterprise. However over half of respondents stated it’s been enterprise as typical for them.
How native companies have been affected
This summer time’s rain and fog have put a damper on some companies, particularly these like Funtown Splashtown, an amusement park and waterpark in Saco who depend on good climate to maintain the enterprise open.
Alexis Wells
Funtown Splashtown Journey Theme Park
Funtown’s Hutchinson instructed Mainebiz that June was one of many worst months the enterprise has had.
He additionally stated that their staff had been affected. If the climate is dangerous and the park is closed, workers don’t receives a commission, which has left some staff with no different selection however to search out jobs elsewhere.
“It’s affecting us tremendously,” stated Hutchinson. “We aren’t open day by day due to the forecast. July hasn’t been off to an excellent begin, however we hope it is going to enhance.”
On Tuesday, the amusement and waterpark introduced that it has created a experience known as the Haunted Lodge, a “darkish experience” and an indoor attraction.
Chris Carleton, proprietor of Allspeed Cyclery & Snow, which has areas in Portland, Carrabassett Valley and Bethel, stated leases have been down.
“Carrabassett has been down 66% in leases, which is sort of comprehensible,” stated Carleton. “Who would need to spend $100-plus for a extremely wet day and muddy trails? Regardless of having a record-breaking spring, mountain bike gross sales had been down considerably. We now have seen a rise in our E-bike gross sales.”
Though gross sales and leases had been down, Carleton says that the enterprise has maintained all of its workers and has had loads of work within the service division to maintain individuals busy.
“We’re simply questioning what’s going to occur with the remainder of the summer time,” stated Carleton. “Are individuals simply going to attend until subsequent summer time to come back to go to us.”
Based on Nationwide Park Service customer information for June 2023, Acadia Nationwide Park has seen a decline in guests. Whereas we don’t know the basis of the problem right here, one could marvel if the climate is the problem.
In June, the park’s recreation visits had been down 6.2% from June 2022. It noticed 565,341 guests versus similar month final yr, when it had 603,023 guests.
Enterprise as typical
Whereas some companies have seen decreases due to the climate, for others the present goes on.
“We’re at about the identical as final yr or barely up,” stated Karen Francoeur, founder and teacher at Castine Kayak Adventures. “Surprisingly, of us are displaying up all smiles and with good gear on, excited to get pleasure from our wet or foggy climate.”
Scheduled excursions are occurring, as deliberate, she stated.
“Our bioluminescent excursions have been full with an energetic ready checklist each night time, rain or shine. I have been them ‘like OMG’ why are these individuals so comfortable? However I actually assume they’re comfortable to get away from the warmth waves, Canadian fires, and smoke taking place the place they’re coming from and simply psyched to get out in nature,” Francoeur stated.
In Scarborough, Wassamki Springs Campground stated that it has been busy and hasn’t seen a lower in clients. An worker instructed Mainebiz that’s has a cancellation coverage and would not enable weather-related cancellations.
Extra climate could also be on its manner right now.
Previous Orchard issued a extreme climate warning for this morning. The warning is in place for a warmth advisory from 11 a.m. to eight p.m., plus excessive winds, heavy rains, flooding, lightning and a twister watch. The city suggested residents and guests to tune in to native information stations for extra data and be prepared to hunt shelter if they’re within the path of the storm.
