Sep 20, 2008

When the tourists leave town …By Jolene Guzman and Jo RaffertyTheWorldLink.com

The winter rains don’t just come on the Oregon Coast — they pour and don’t stop for tourists, construction workers, house painters or road crews.

For many shop owners waiting for the next customer to walk in the door, time seems to stand still in the rainy season.

It can be downright scary for small business owners, particularly watching the crash of the national economy. Those businesses that survive typically figure out tricks to adapt and change quickly when sales are skinny. They keep close tabs on their money, even if there’s plenty of it heading into winter.

“Just because you have money, doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” said Jan Tucker.

Tucker has owned The Pottery Co. in Coos Bay for eight years, but she doesn’t assume her business is guaranteed continued success. She’s constantly thinking.

“Plan ahead,” she said.

Holidays help, said Tucker, who also markets to people shopping for gifts throughout the year. With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of the products on the shelves. At Coos Grange Supply, the store shifts gears about now to cater to its customers’ colder season needs. “We don’t stock stuff that wouldn’t be needed,” pet and animal health department manager Chris Brown said.

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