Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, but the water parks are dry, amusement parks are shuttered and national parks are only beginning to reopen.
For thousands of small businesses that rely on tourism, they are hoping that Americans will be ready to splurge on summer vacations once again – for many, their livelihood depends on it.
Heidi Bess is the owner of Candlelight Cottages, which has been in business nearly 70 years in Bolton Landing, New York, the heart of the Lake George resort area. “Most of our customers are repeat customers,” she said.
This story from Contessa Brewer originally appeared on CNBC.com.
The cottage owner, who also is the president of the Bolton Chamber of Commerce, said her phone has been ringing off the hook, as people look at the holiday weather forecast and are anxious to escape their houses after more than two months housebound.
“It has been a challenging time, but there is still that optimism it’s not a lost summer,” she said.
