Soggy June has effect on tourism

SHELBURNE FALLS, Mass. (WWLP) - A dreary June has made for soggy sales for some local businesses.

Many shops in Shelburne Falls rely on tourists to buy up their goods and eat at their restaurants, but the rain has kept some away.

Stillwater Porcelain owner Pat Pyott says after a strong start to the Spring, she's seeing less customers in her store.

"It's hard to get the spirits up, the sun peaks through every once in a while you see a huge difference in attitudes and excitability, but when the sun goes back again, we all get kind of gloomy," said Pyott.

She says that means customers aren't buying like they usually do.

However, the town isn't empty. Even on a drizzle filled Wednesday morning, there are still people walking the bridge of flowers.

Many, though, aren't from the area.

"If I were a local I might not do it," said Susan Kincade from Washington D.C. "But this isn't enough to stop a visitor."

They say visitors are already here; many want to head out, rain or shine.

"We could have gone back because of the rain but instead I said we have to go see the bridge of flowers, we're this close, we have to be there," said Susanna Opper from Alford.

For now, businesses owners like Pyott say that will have to be enough to survive.

They're just hoping the sun breaks through once the busy season hits in July, August, and September.