Dry and hot: that's a pretty good combination for a beach town when it comes to attracting business. The early spring and now hot summer weather is helping some local businesses. And most business owners will tell you their busiest hours are the really hot, hot hours -- noon until 3 p.m. And their biggest marketing tool is air conditioning.
In the morning at Caffe Tosi, coffee is of course the most popular drink on the menu. But this summer, most customers are getting their coffee iced.
"Iced latte or iced coffee," says manager Anthony Dunning.
The hot weather has been good for business. The hotter the temperature outside, the most customers want to head inside.
"The super hot weather, the A/C in here, is an incentive to get inside, chill out indoors," says Dunning.
And that doesn't just apply to restaurants in St. Joseph.
"They are coming in. They are trying on clothes. This has been our best year ever," says Rachel Arent, the owner of Eve.
Eve is a plus size clothing and accessories store. The tourist season came early this year because spring was so warm. In March, sales at Eve were up 30 percent, says Arent. And for the year so far sales are up 15 to 20 percent overall.
"We really have had an influx of business," says Arent, "we keep the store very cold. We have extra A/C. The fitting rooms are cool. And I think people want to come from out of the heat."
Of course the beach in St. Joseph is always packed during the summer. Beach goers come from all over the region to enjoy the beautiful scenery and family atmosphere.
"It is beautiful down here, even in the winter time," says Sofia Werner. Werner and her husband Ernst have lived here for more than 40 years and they say this summer is busier than ever.
Area businesses are noticing and they hope it stays that way.
In the morning at Caffe Tosi, coffee is of course the most popular drink on the menu. But this summer, most customers are getting their coffee iced.
"Iced latte or iced coffee," says manager Anthony Dunning.
The hot weather has been good for business. The hotter the temperature outside, the most customers want to head inside.
"The super hot weather, the A/C in here, is an incentive to get inside, chill out indoors," says Dunning.
And that doesn't just apply to restaurants in St. Joseph.
"They are coming in. They are trying on clothes. This has been our best year ever," says Rachel Arent, the owner of Eve.
Eve is a plus size clothing and accessories store. The tourist season came early this year because spring was so warm. In March, sales at Eve were up 30 percent, says Arent. And for the year so far sales are up 15 to 20 percent overall.
"We really have had an influx of business," says Arent, "we keep the store very cold. We have extra A/C. The fitting rooms are cool. And I think people want to come from out of the heat."
Of course the beach in St. Joseph is always packed during the summer. Beach goers come from all over the region to enjoy the beautiful scenery and family atmosphere.
"It is beautiful down here, even in the winter time," says Sofia Werner. Werner and her husband Ernst have lived here for more than 40 years and they say this summer is busier than ever.
Area businesses are noticing and they hope it stays that way.
