LEHMAN TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lousy weather, apart from being annoying and never-ending, is having an impact on local businesses, both good and bad.
Lately, it seems like it just won't stop raining in northeastern Pennsylvania, and for some local businesses, that's actually a good thing, especially if you're in the rain gutter business.
"We love the rain. Our work is volume 100% based on the weather; it's based on the rain," Northeast Gutter Pro Owner and Operator Richard Fassett said.
With the recent heavy rains, these crews are busier than ever, and they've even had to upgrade the products they use to keep up with Mother Nature.
"Reason today why we do a lot of larger gutter than the gutter size we used to do in the olden days is because the weather pattern has definitely changed," Fassett explained.
The rain filling up gutters might be good for one local business, but when it keeps raining, some people just need to get out of the house, and that's when gutters like these start filling up too.
Idle Hours North in Dickson City is usually slow on a Monday in June, but not this Monday.
"Well, for us, rain is very good for us, yeah. Picks up business, pays our salaries, pays our bills, good for our employees," Idle Hours North Manager Lois Simonson told 28/22 News.
Settlement reached in Purdue Pharma opioid lawsuit
More people are bringing the fun indoors, and bowling alleys are cashing in.
"They come in looking for something more to do than they can do outdoors. A lot of parties will bring their parties indoors that were booked for outside," Simonson said.
But not everyone's having an easy time adjusting to the wet weather, especially in the lawn care industry.
"Each day it does get a little more difficult as the lawns get more and more saturated," Scott from Grasshopper Lawns said.
Crews at Grasshopper Lawns say they're pushing through, but it's not easy.
"I think the guys are all in a mental state right now, just getting used to going out and getting it done," Grasshopper Lawns General Manager John Patterson.
"I just say it's Seattle, we live there. Just find the nearest Starbucks, get a coffee, and keep trudging along," Scott added.
Grasshopper Lawns says if the rain continues, it could also lead to more mosquitoes and bugs, making lawn treatment even tougher in the weeks ahead.
