HAMBURG, N.Y> (WKBW-TV) — Corey Matuszak, at Fisher Pools & Supplies in the Village of Hamburg, said in his 30 years of doing swimming pools, he never thought he would become the "next phase of fast-food restaurants," but that is what it feels like.
Fisher Pools has seen a rush of customers over the past two weeks for curbside pickup of pool supplies.
After weeks of being homebound, it appears that people are rushing to get their pools open and ready to go as soon as possible. "It may have been off to the side for a season or two, but now it is becoming a big focal point for people to go outside and be in the sun and have family time, " explained Matuszak.
The water in those pools is still pretty cold but Matuszak figures without youth sports, school, and limitations on gathering, people are looking to make the most of a safe activity in their yard.
However, in order to keep everyone safe, Matuszak said Fisher Pools is now looking to install a window for drive-thru and walk-up service.
Normally, the rush to open pools occurs around the end of May and Memorial Day.
The desire to do something outside is also being felt by the AAA of Western & Central NY. "Long weekends. I think we are going to see a lot of that in the state," said Brian Murray, Director of Travel for the AAA.
Murray said the auto club is seeing a big demand for information about driveable destinations, especially the Thousand Islands, Lake George, Watkins Glen and Corning. "When people begin to venture out, we are going to have a lot of information for them, initially, about New York State," added Murray.
The AAA thinks it will be some time before people go back to flying internationally. Until then, the desire for travel is expected to be domestic road trips. "They are a little longer drive but people are also very interested in the Natonal Parks this year," explained Murray.
