Outdoor propane heater shortage being felt in Niagara
Niagara Falls business extending tent rentals into winter
As the holiday season arrives, Niagara residents are tightening up their invitations in an effort to adhere to provincial guidelines that no more than 10 people can be inside the same home at once.
The weather has been mild, but with snow and freezing temperatures coming soon, an outdoor gathering might not seem like a favourable idea either.
You’re allowed to have 25 people, which could be an opportunity to limit the amount of hurt feelings caused by hosts having to cut back who they have over for dinner and drinks.
An outdoor propane heater or two would be a wise investment for people planning to have functions where people are being kept outside to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
But there’s a problem with that plan. Most department and hardware
stores across the region, and the rest of Canada, in-store and online, are sold out and don’t expect to have any for a few months.
Mike Dockrill, general manager of the Welland Canadian Tire store, said
his store sold about 100 heaters in September.
“There was quite a demand for them,” he said, assuming most were bought by small business owners.
Some came from the Greater Toronto Area because the Welland Canadian Tire was “one of the only stores” that had them in nearby.
He expects his store won’t have any more in stock until early spring.
Joe DiCarlo, owner of Party Connection in Niagara Falls, said some are available online and through distributors, but they are more expensive and not close to the $200 range like the smaller ones purchased by the average household.
He had several rented out to Niagara restaurants he has contracts with, but many have chosen to close their patios as provincial guidelines change and the weather gets colder.
Things slowed down in early November, but to prepare for the fall rush of clients who needed heaters, DiCarlo bought a handful from an Albertabased company — even though they were a bit above his price range.
“We had to turn away business because we didn’t have enough heaters,” he said.
Ontario dealers told him in October that they wouldn’t have any available until December or January.
His new ones are the “Cadillac” of outdoor heaters, and are now in his collection of about six he has available for rent, which would be larger but some of his inventory was damaged while rented out, he said.
People who are hosting outdoor functions during the holiday season can look to DiCarlo and other Niagara businesses who rent outdoor propane heaters — especially if it’s for a one-time event, a better option than tracking one down and buying it.
DiCarlo doesn’t normally rent his tents after Nov. 1, but he has one and some heaters booked for a Niagara family on Christmas Day who are hosting an outdoor family celebration.
Other customers have booked tents and heaters for recent backyard parties, as well as ones planned for the coming weeks, said DiCarlo.
“This year, we’re making an exception because of the pandemic,” he said.