Snow impacts local businesses in Martin
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MARTIN, Tenn. — Winter weather over the last several weeks has been bad for the local economy. Local leaders are encouraging people to shop local to support small businesses. Emergency managers said Martin was one of the hardest-hit areas by last week’s storm with reports of more than a foot of snow. That snow left shoppers, and their cash, stuck at home. “Everything was closed, plus we could not drive,” Ali Alqallaf said. “We could not go anywhere. I did not eat for two days.” Alqallaf is a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin and spent his spring break with serious spring fever. The last two snow storms in West Tennessee meant a lot less money for local businesses. “It was slower, but we’re open seven days a week and people know we’re going to be open,” Doug Thweatt said. Thweatt owns The Hearth Restaurant in Martin. Through all the snow he never closed his doors but did see about 40 percent less people dining in. “People were glad to see us,” Thweatt said. “Even some of the major fast food chains were closed.” Thweatt estimates he lost $10,000 in sales. Down the street, E.W. James Supermarket, a place shoppers rush when snow is in the forecast, also took a hit. Manager Zach Rea said they lost about $3,000 one night and had to close early another. “Losing hours, you lose money in the paycheck, and makes it harder to make ends meet,” Rea said. Many hope with spring in sight people will get out and help pump money back into the local economy. “I don’t wanna stay at home,” Alqallaf said. “I want to go out. I want to eat.” Other businesses in Martin estimate their February sales were cut in half due to the winter weather.
