Local hardware stores are struggling to keep winter ware in stock.
Yesterday alone, the Oak Bay Avenue Home Hardware sold 160 snow shovels, 120 sleds and 180 units of ice melter.
“Today we’re building snow shovels, and we can’t keep up with people,” said store manager Andrew Wrean. “We’re building them as fast as we can and are trying to get some more snow melter in today.”
Sarah Mari purchased one of the newly-built shovels Tuesday morning, after realizing all her own shovels were gone.
“We used to live up north and had everything under the sun,” Mari said. “Moving around Victoria we’ve downsized as we went and just lost shovels along the way, and we need to restock.”
Wrean noted that sleds are sold out, but that popular items like gloves, ice scrapes, and toques are still in stock–for now.
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Over at the Castle Building Centres on Bay Street and Cook Street, every single snow shovel sold out Monday night.
“You’re always hesitant to over-buy, we had inventory since the previous year so you don’t expect something like this last week,” said general manager Brent Cowling. “It’s Victoria, so we’re thinking ’ it’ll be 11 degrees tomorrow, we’re gonna be selling rakes!”
Between both stores, customers bought 10 psallets worth of salt, with 56 bags per pallet.
“We blew through everything,” Cowling said, noting that more salt is scheduled to arrive today.
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Down at Capital Iron, general sales are down but winter purchases are up.
“We’re selling a lot of scrapers for cars, salt, winter boots, winter jackets, long underwear and stuff for birds,” said owner Mike Black. “We’ve still got a few shovels, but the thing about snow-related items is you’re never right. We didn’t even buy anything this year, it’s all last year’s product.”
Environment Canada predicts more snow for Tuesday evening and later into the week.
– With files from Jesse Laufer
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