Drive by Tom’s Hardware and you’ll notice mountains of salt bags piled around the front and sides of the 558 S. Lapeer Rd. building.
For those who dread the idea that yet another long, cold winter is just around the corner, it’s a thoroughly depressing sight. But for people who earn a living off Michigan’s seemingly endless snow and ice, it’s truly a thing of beauty.
Hardware owner Tom Toteff said he’s got about 10,000 bags of salt right now and he’s expecting to take delivery of another 5,000 bags.
But don’t worry, Toteff’s stock isn’t based on any top secret, insider information that this winter’s going to be harsher than the last one.
He hasn’t been lunching with local TV weathermen or talking to groundhogs in the woods.
In fact, Toteff said he ordered the same amount of salt as he did last year for his mix of residential and commercial customers. ‘I sell it by the pallet, by the bag and by the truckload,? he said. ‘Whatever someone needs.?
When asked if he thinks his current inventory will be enough to get him through this winter, Toteff smiled and replied, ‘I hope not.?
‘It looks like we’ll go through at least this much, if not more,? he said.
Salt at Tom’s Hardware is available in 50 and 80-pound bags for $6 and $8 each, respectively.