LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Daylight saving time officially ends Sunday, requiring clocks to be set back one hour for the return to standard time.
While many people welcome the extra hour of sleep, local businesses face varying impacts as they adjust their workflows to accommodate the time change.
At Great Lakes Arts and Gifts, the time change has little disruption to daily operations. Store Manager Roger Nowland says the only difference he notices is his team’s adjustment to the new time.
“[Nothing changes] other than a few people sometimes not being ready, the first or two day after it switches. They’re still a little groggy in the morning,” said Nowland.
Indian Hills Golf Course experiences more significant impacts from the time change. Owner JC Peterson says the sun dictates everything for his business.
“We get squeezed on both ends. So, we can’t get on the course… as early to get our work done… because of frost and darkness. And that shoves us back a little bit,” said Peterson. “When it gets darker earlier in the day, you have to remind people, if you really think you’re going to play, you’ve got to be out here by 3-3:30 p.m.”
The shortened daylight hours reduce customer traffic as people have less time for recreational activities.
“You can’t do it after school. You can’t do it after work. We’re just going to see mostly retirees and people who can get out in the middle of the day,” said Peterson. “We squeeze fewer and fewer people into fewer and fewer hours,” Peterson said.
Dublin Square, a bar in East Lansing, sees the opposite effect. General Manager Jordan Blyden says earlier sunsets bring more customers.
“When the sun’s out, a lot of people enjoy their time elsewhere, and then nighttime really kind of kicks off nightlife,” said Blyden. “[With] the sun setting a little bit earlier, we do see an influx of people joining us earlier.”
In a statment from Marketing Director Liz Reno-Hayes at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, she says employee well being during the darker months is crucical.
“As we ‘fall back’ this November, the Chamber encourages local businesses to stay proactive & adjust schedules, look for creative ways to attract customers earlier in the day, and keep employee well-being front and center,” said Reno-Hayes. “Even small adjustments can help maintain productivity and community engagement through the darker months.”
Standard time remains in effect until daylight saving time begins again on March 8.
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Daylight saving time ends: Local businesses adjust to time change – WILX
