Snow is good for business

Caley George, right, helps a customer at Pro Ski Service in North Bend. The store has seen a boom in business due to the early snowfall. "We basically got positively overwhelmed with the positive response from the local population," said owner Martin Volken. "I suspect that some of this has to do with the rather frustrating winter of last year." Restaurants have also seen an increase in business this season. North Bend Bar and Grill owner Keith Mickle said his business has had stronger weekends "with the snow and the Christmas-tree hunters."