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CURTIS -- The snow that the we got yesterday is what people in the UP tourism industry expect, and hope for, every day.

With the lack of snow the past few months, small businesses that rely on winter activities have been suffering.

"It's not been good. It's a struggle to try to keep everything going, everybody working, as a lot of people know, but I think we'll survive it," said Bud Chamberlain owner of Chamberlain's Ole Forest Inn.

The Inn in Curtis is normally completely booked this time of the year, but this winter, they're down to about 50 percent.

So, they're relying on their restaurant to bring in the bucks.

"Our big thing though is food. We have excellent, excellent food, and that's what we try to advertise.  If you get people upstairs, that's an added plus," Chamberlain added.

While the past few months at Chamberlain's has been slower, the owner said he's already looking toward the summer to bring in more customers.

They're promoting their outdoor dining that sits right on Manistique Lake.

The Fish and Hunt Shop in Curtis is also looking ahead to summer.

"Boat sales this year are far ahead of last year's for January and February, which aren't exactly big boat months, but it's still been a lot better this year than last year's. The interest is there. People are thinking we'll have a long, hot, dry summer," Fish and Hunt Shop owner, Mike Soder remarked.

The store's offering sales for snowmobiles and other winter gear, in hopes of bringing in customers who are already looking ahead to next winter.