As people brace for the winter weather in Washington, some businesses say the snow helps bring in customers.
KIRO 7 spoke with Mark and Sandy Klein, the owners of Espresso Chalet located off Highway 2 in Index.
Their coffee stand has become that much-needed pit stop for the past 34 years.
“I was a dog musher. And I needed a place to have my sled dogs. And this was a nice big piece of property by the highway,” Mark explained.
Being on the highway that goes right into Stevens Pass meant the Kleins also signed up for lots of snow.
“By morning, it’s going to be icy out here. I can feel it. Big time icy,” he said.
Snow comes with some extra work, like starting the day extra early.
“I have to keep it all nice and clean and everything. Get up at three in the morning to come and plow and, you know, that kind of stuff. And we don’t usually get out of here until like 7 pm.”
On the bright side, Mark says the winter weather brings a boost in business.
“A difference in clientele. You know, we’ll see more skiers, we’ll see people looky-loo, maybe Leavenworthers going back and forth and that kind of thing. It does bring people. It really does.”
Several travelers stopped by the stand. Kumari Priyanka was on her way back from Leavenworth after driving through the pass.
“The area near Stevens Pass is very snowy and I would say dangerous. I have all wheel drive but still my car was skidding so I recommend everyone be careful there and just drive slow,” Priyanka said.
Mark can confirm just how dangerous it could be here.
" I have probably like three or four different stories of wild cars coming off of the highway. Do you see how I park my cars? That’s to protect my house,” he said.
His snowplow helps block the side of his home, but he says that hasn’t stopped some accidents from happening.
“We’ve had a bus that did a 360 down to here. We had a tire come off and go through my front door. Uh, we went through that sign there,” Mark said.