NEW ULM - As winter storm after winter storm passes through the area this season, local retail outlets are watching their snow blower inventories closely.
On South Broadway, Sears store manager Joel Garza said more than 70 units have been sold here this year.
"Sales are up quite a bit from last year," Garza said. "I hope we get more in soon. We've only got four small ones left."
Snow blowers have been moving in and out of Running's Farm & Fleet on North Broadway.
"We've still got a good supply," said Runnings Power Equipment Department Manager Steve Portner.
"Our warehouse has kept us in good shape with two weekly shipments. We just got 10 more in on a truck. We'll be busy now putting them together," he said on Tuesday.
At River Valley Equipment on South Valley, a shipment of 12 new snow blowers was expected Tuesday.
The store has received six snow blower shipments this season.
This winter's abundance of snow means more than the usual amount of work for people that remove snow too.
Wendy Sondag of Sondag Services, rural New Ulm - which handles residential and commercial customers with two tractors and two blowers - said her husband Greg is employing four to six other people to help him keep up with demand.
"It's been especially busy this year because it's snowed so much each time. Then everybody wants to get out at once. Lots of new customers keep calling," Wendy Sondag said.
Rick Thom of rural Courtland does residential driveways and sidewalks with a 4-foot blower in front of an all-wheel-drive tractor.
"Business is up about 25 percent this year," Thom said.