Warmer weather means hot savings for winter clothes at Ottawa stores
Thursday marked another warmer than average winter day in Ottawa, making it feel like it's time to put away that winter gear – or it might be the perfect time to buy some.
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Sonia Leroy and her daughter Rowan Hughes are heading to Mont Tremblant for a ski trip this weekend.
"It occurred to me that since my daughter is wearing my snow pants, I don't have anything to wear," said Leroy. "So I was going to rent some."
But to her surprise, renting snow gear was even more expensive than buying it brand new.
"We were going to rent snow gear and everything at Tremblant for our ski trip this weekend for $75, a jacket and snow pants," said Hughes. "But you could just buy an amazing pair of snow pants instead."
Almost all of this year’s winter clothing is on sale at Bushtukah, a winter store with three locations in Ottawa.
The wall of skis at the store has never been this full in mid-February. On Thursday, it was all on sale.
"From a pure winter enthusiast standpoint, it's been a bit of a disappointment," said Bushtukah's CFO Dave Morton.
"It's looking like it will be an early spring, which means that, there are some great deals for consumers still looking for some winter clothing," said Morton.
That "early spring" feeling is getting many to start thinking about warmer days ahead.
"Yesterday, there was a lineup of 10 people and they're all bringing their bikes in," said Mike Osborne, Bushtukah's head service writer. "They all know the warm weather is here."
Cyco’s, an outdoor sports shop located near the Rideau Canal, relies on skate rentals all winter. It’s been a rough two years, with the Skateway being only briefly open this year and not at all last season.
"It’s a major hit not having the canal," said Bruce Martin, Cyco’s co-owner.
"We’re looking at probably $30,000 to $40,000 that we lose without the canal. This year won't be as bad because we've been able to have some canal time."
Luckily, they too are seeing cyclists already lining up in for early spring tune-ups.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971573.1721489566!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Alberta town takes action fighting crime, addressing homelessness, addictions issues
In Cold Lake, Alta., drivers leaning through windows at the McDonald’s drive-thru have been ambushed by people running by and snatching food right out of their hands.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Trudeau and family head to British Columbia for vacation in unnamed location
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will head to British Columbia on Sunday, where he will be on vacation with his family until Aug. 1.
Stranger sexually assaulted Surrey woman while she was asleep in her home, RCMP say
A woman in Surrey's Newton neighbourhood woke up to a stranger groping her early Saturday morning, according to local police.
Baby dies after pregnant woman fatally struck by vehicle in downtown Toronto
A woman fatally struck by a sedan in downtown Toronto earlier this week was pregnant, and her baby has also died, police say.
'I took a bullet for democracy': Trump holds first rally after assassination attempt
Donald Trump is holding his first campaign rally since he survived an attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate.
Democratic consensus solidifies around Harris, should Biden step aside
No one quite knows what the process of picking a new nominee would be if Joe Biden did step aside – but many Democrats say that any process is likelier than ever to quickly end with Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee.
A 12-year-old girl is accused of smothering her younger cousin over an iPhone
A 12-year-old girl in Tennessee has been charged with murder, accused of smothering her eight-year-old cousin as the younger girl slept. A relative said they had been arguing over an iPhone.
Here are the signs you're ready to downsize your home
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, many Canadians are looking to find ways to save money, such as downsizing their home. But one Ottawa broker says there are several signs to consider before making the big decision.