Rain Is Killing Business On The Lakes
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GRAND PRAIRIE(CBSDFW.COM) - With Joe Pool Lake nearly eight foot past capacity, the curious come with cameras. But for those who earn a living on the lake: too much water is a real concern.
"Normally, my phone would be ringing off the hook this time of year," says Dale Daulton, owner of All-Season's Marine. For now, Daulton keeps his crews busy clearing away backlogged repairs. But, he doesn't want to even think about the rainy weather pattern continuing.
"No," he insists with a not-completely-joking chuckle, "I'm not going to think about it, definitely not, no!"
Next door, workers build a floating bridge across what was once a parking lot. Still, the popular Oasis restaurant on Joe Pool Lake will remain closed. The temporary bridge will provide access for employees and boaters only.
Late Friday, staffers confirmed that the marina would be able to accommodate boat rentals over the weekend and boat club members would have access as well. Still, it's not nearly enough to make up for the lost revenue.
"This is their Christmas season for them," says long-time customer Dave Mahoney. "They're gonna take a huge loss. Gonna be tough."
Other customers are filled with compassion as marina owners miss out on what is typically one of the busiest weekends of the year.
"Now, they've got no income coming in except for the slip owners," says Vaughan Wynne-Jones. "Memorial weekend is a wash-out, they're not going to get any income off of that. I'm concerned about how long it's going to take this place to recover."
Even owners admit the lost revenue is no drop in the bucket. "We're way north of $100,000," says marina owner, Larry Walker. "We've enjoyed a very nice business and this completely shut us down."
Other nearby businesses agree: they'd rather see the skies dry up… not their profits.
"This is the first major holiday," says Daulton, "kicking off the season, so people are disappointed, all the way around."
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