EBENSBURG, CAMBRIA COUNTY - NHL fans weren't the only ones affected by the lockout, businesses like the Steelers-Penguins Gift Shop in Ebensburg saw a major dip in sales during the lockout.
With the NHL lockout over, it's happy penguin shopping now. Over the past few months, business wasn't all that great.
"Especially our Christmas sales," said Jim Vetock, partner at Steeler-Penguin Gift Shop, "And we do a lot of business with Penguins merchandise on home games, people stopping in on their way to Pittsburgh to the games. So that did affect our business."
Another frustrating side of the lockout, the gift shop couldn't order any new merchandise that they did sell out of because the NHL wouldn't allow any new NHL products to be made.
"Already this morning a couple of the reps have already emailed us," said Vetock. "You know, telling us items will be available shortly."
It's good news for businesses, and good news for fans.
The NHL has not officially announced when the season will begin, but reports say games will start January 19th with a shortened 48-game schedule.
With the NHL lockout over, it's happy penguin shopping now. Over the past few months, business wasn't all that great.
"Especially our Christmas sales," said Jim Vetock, partner at Steeler-Penguin Gift Shop, "And we do a lot of business with Penguins merchandise on home games, people stopping in on their way to Pittsburgh to the games. So that did affect our business."
Another frustrating side of the lockout, the gift shop couldn't order any new merchandise that they did sell out of because the NHL wouldn't allow any new NHL products to be made.
"Already this morning a couple of the reps have already emailed us," said Vetock. "You know, telling us items will be available shortly."
It's good news for businesses, and good news for fans.
The NHL has not officially announced when the season will begin, but reports say games will start January 19th with a shortened 48-game schedule.
