News that skiers and boarders will be able to hit the slopes again from June 22 spread fast in the Illawarra on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
No sooner had the NSW Government announced that ski fields would be able to open than retail outlets such as Steve's Snow Store were being inundated with calls.
"The phone has been running hot all day," Steve Dunstall said.
"I am going to hire one or two more staff and we will open up our rental shop in the next two to three weeks. We are not sure whether we are going to be able to rent clothing yet. I have got to see what the restrictions are".
Mr Dunstall said people seemed to anticipate the season was going to go ahead.
"We have been busy the last three or four days. They have been coming in and doing their homework. And just waiting to see if the season goes ahead. Now that has been confirmed it is starting to get really busy. Everyone has been wanting something to look forward to in these crazy times," he said.
Read more: Let everyone know you're Back in Business
Mr Dunstall is now looking forward to seeing some good snow on the ground in the coming weeks.
He said he did close Steve's Snow Store for a while when some others shops in Wollongong Central closed.
"Now we are open seven days a week and extending our hours until 8 o'clock on Thursday nights because there is starting to be more people around. And we are opening each day at 9am," he said.
"Now the season is coming I can say yes to more orders and bring a greater supply of new boards in. With the new releases we get some of the stock before the northern hemisphere which is pretty cool".
In the shop Mr Dunstall said there was a limit on the number of people who can be inside at any one time.
And at the snow he expects to see spacing on ski lifts and more private lessons.
"At least everyone can now go down and have a good time with the family," he said.
Mr Dunstall said it was a great relief to know the ski season was going ahead.
He has run the business for 11 years and been in the present location at GPT's Wollongong Central for five. But this is the first time he has ever seen the snow season in jeopardy.
Read more:
- Tattoo industry develops Covid-19 safety plan in the hope studios can reopen soon
- A New York style jewellery store in Crown Street Mall, Wollongong
- Let everyone know you're Back in Business
- Wings Over Illawarra locked in for November 7 and 8 as planning for the annual air show gathers pace
- Innovative North Wollongong construction business Unique Style Homes grows during COVID-19 with its Panelup prefab system that can erect a home in less than a week
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
