Article: WATER DAMAGE; Record rains wash away sales at seasonal businesses.(Chicago Sailing)

Byline: MONEE FIELDS-WHITE

Chicago's soggiest spring ever is compounding recessionary woes at local companies that depend on sunny weather.

From outdoor cafes to golf courses to garden centers, seasonal businesses are suffering as record rainfall keeps customers indoors.

Almost 21 inches of rain fell on Chicago from March 1 through June 16, the most ever recorded at Midway Airport for that period. Much of the precipitation came during the first two weeks of June.

"There's a significant cost component to our business that makes it difficult when you have such unseasonable wet and cold weather,'' says Heather Clark, marketing and events ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!