Cold spring weather impacting seasonal businesses in Winnipeg
Posted May 18, 2026 5:11 pm.
Cold and damp spring weather is putting a strain on seasonal businesses in Winnipeg, with garden centres, patios and attractions all seeing slower-than-usual traffic.
At Ron Paul Garden Centre, staff are still waiting for a steady stretch of warm weather to kick the season into high gear.
“Yesterday we had a little bit of sun, and It was brisk which was nice to see everybody the guys were running around, clients were here, it was exciting and then mother nature through a curveball and its raining today so, we’re again trying to find things for the guy to do, so its slow,” said Ray Dubois, president and owner of Ron Paul Garden Centre.
Dubois said annual flower sales have taken the biggest hit because of the delayed start to spring.
“When it comes to annuals, flower sales, there’s a real finite window between planting them and just saying forget it, and so for this business, in this industry, the annuals are the ones that take the biggest hit if we have a really really late spring,” said Dubois.
Patio businesses are also feeling the effects. At The Beer Can, fluctuating temperatures have made staffing unpredictable.
“We’re packed the moment the sun comes out and this year it’s just really fluctuated, a lot of cold weather compared to usual,” said Adam Schrofel, supervisor at The Beer Can.
“A lot of cuts a lot of hours that get scheduled and then just because of the weather we obviously can’t accommodate having a full staff on, so then we’re having to call people off or you know they get their three hours in and they gotta head home because theres just not enough work going around, we’re just not busy enough,” said Schrofel.
In a statement, Assiniboine Park Zoo said spring attendance has been “slightly softer” than the same period last year, adding weather plays a major role in visitation patterns.
Forecasters say warmer weather could finally be on the way, with temperatures expected to climb into the high 20s and 30s this weekend and into next week.
“Man bring it on, this cold weather is like a bad relationship, it just won’t go away, so its like bring on the good, we’re ready, we’re waiting, our staff is fired up, everyone is energized and we just want to have some fun and serve the public,” said Dubois.
