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Show Business The Park Record. MOUNTAINS OF GEAR GET NEW HOME, A-14 A-13 IKON PASS COST, ACCESS INFO ANNOUNCED, A-14 www.parkrecord.com SAT/SUN/MON/TUES, FEBRUARY 24-27, 2018 Editor: Carolyn Webber business@parkrecord.com 435.649.9014 ex.118 Despite slow season, businesses optimistic SILVER STAR CAFÉ NAMED BEST IN PARK CITY Sales were down for some companies in Park City last month Silver Star Café at 1825 Three Kings Drive in Park City was named one of Utah’s best restaurants by Salt Lake Magazine. According to a press release, it was also selected as the reader’s choice award for the Park City area. The restaurants selected by the magazine were based not only on the taste of the dishes and service, but also ethical sourcing and environmental sensitivity. Crystal Rolinger, a manager at the restaurant, said that it uses real cane sugar in its sodas and tries to use as much local produce as possible. She said that the restaurant team is very excited about the recognition. LODGING ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS The Park City Area Lodging Association is accepting nominations for its annual Black Diamond Awards. According to the association’s newsletter, the awards recognize expert levels of service and hospitality within the Park City community. Anyone in the community is invited to nominate people in various categories, such as lodging, food and beverage and those that inspire the lodging community. Nominations are due on March 2 and the award ceremony is scheduled for March 29 at the Chateaux Deer Valley. Visit pcala.org for more details and nomination forms. GAS PRICES DROP FOR FIRST TIME THIS YEAR Last week, a report from AAA said that the national average price for gasoline dropped for the first time in 2018. According to a press release, while it is common for gas prices to decrease in January and February following the holiday season, this year prices around the country remained high during these months. Throughout 2017, crude oil prices remained around $50 a barrel, but prices jumped to $70 a barrel in early January as Saudi Arabia cut oil production. Utah’s average price per gallon is $2.51, and the release said that throughout the year, the cost will likely increase another 10 to 15 cents. CAROLYN WEBBER The Park Record In a city whose winter economy is almost directly associated to the amount of snow falling, a dry season can prove difficult for businesses. But despite sales being low for many businesses, companies are hopeful to see upward growth in the next month. Tom Foley, vice president of business intelligence for the national ski area database Inntopia, said that resorts across the West have had low occupancy throughout the winter and that those numbers have been falling over time. But if snow continues to fall as it did last weekend, there is still a chance that the trend could change direction. “The season started strong and hopeful and came off of an extremely strong summer,” he said. “That momentum carried over into the early part of the winter booking season.” As snow was delayed in December, he said that few were worried about the season, but then the snow continued to evade the West and occupancy numbers dropped. Reports that show 60-day projections indicate that March is trending either even or below the numbers from last season, according to data from DestiMetrics. This is the first time in seven years that occupancy at Western mountain resorts has been down from year to year, Foley said. Karl “Jake” Jacobsen, a hard goods buyer for Jans Mountain Recreation Experts, said that there are less people in Park City purchasing gear. For the last two months, sales have been slow. He said that even though the ski resorts have been making snow, when the temperatures are higher than normal, few come to his shop to buy extra layers or warmer gear. Instead, they just need sunscreen. But Coleen Reardon, director of marketing for Deer Valley Resort, said that because of the resort’s snow making abilities , business is pacing even with last winter. The resort reached skier capacity last Saturday and Sunday. “We have developed a reputation among our visitors for snow quality, even in the years when Mother Nature doesn’t entirely cooperate, due to these efforts,” she said. Steve McComb, owner of Bistro 412 on Main Street and Baja Cantina at the base of Park City Mountain Resort, said that considering the poor snow conditions, business has been OK. But overall, both places were down for the month of January. Still, he is hopeful that business will pick up during the rest of the season. Jim Bizily, owner and CEO of Park City Rental Properties, said that he has spoken with several property rental owners who are struggling this season. He, however, heard predictions before the season that snow would be low and immediately started discounting and incentivizing his properties. Although his marketing cost increased by about 30 percent, he was able to increase his occupancy from last year. He said that he will continue the incentives throughout the rest of the year. Foley, who said that many destinations are getting creative in order to maintain revenue, said that long-distance travelers have already planned their trips well in advance and are not as affected by snow for the rest of the season, but locals and regional visitors are. If the snow continues to fall, those visitors could fill up rooms, hit the slopes and open their wallets around town. “We would hope that the February snows that have come will be positive and help overall on the numbers,” he said. FINALS TANZI PROPST/PARK RECORD Main Street is one of the top tourist destinations in Park City. Due to low snow during the early winter, some companies say that business has been slow. Keep Your Family & Guests Safe Top scorers from the qualifiers will compete in The Park Record Bee on March 6, 2018. Winner of The Park Record Bee will compete in the Scripps National Bee in May 2018. FINALS WILL BE MARCH 6, 2018 AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE. 328 Main St, Park City Join us to support our schools and our students! 2nd and 3rd graders start at 4pm 4th - 8th graders start at 6pm Rooftop Snow Removal Residential & Commercial Licensed & Insured Clients Include: The UPS Store Park City, Utah Trusted In Park City For 17 Years Alpine Ski Properties Vacation Rentals in Park City & Deer Valley Utah Call Us Today! 435.615.8669 www.ontoproofing.com Sheet Metal Design |