Much like the myriad cars and trucks peppering the ditches of east and westbound Highway 94, Albertville's Premium Outlets Mall found itself at the mercy of Old Man Winter on President's Day.
Parking lots packed to capacity as recently as Saturday were offering plenty of premium spaces Monday as the winter storm continues to move through Minnesota. Shops packed with patrons on Friday and Saturday now found themselves with more staff than customers at midday on Monday.
"This time of year, we know that weather can be a factor and we plan ahead for it. The weekend sale started on Friday with Saturday being a particularly stong day as the warmer temperatures had people thinking spring," Sally Dufner, general manager of Albertville Premium Outlets, told Patch
Despite the dreary look of things outside, not all patrons were put off by the wintry weather.
"I think the media has sensationalized this storm a little bit. This is pretty normal for a winter storm," said Jim, an Albertville shopper who's family is visiting the mall on its way home to Winnipeg, Can. "I look outside and I think that actually this storm is not that bad."
Dufner also had plenty of reason for optimism after individual retail outlets sought their own remedy to the weather.
"Some stores are keeping the sales going as well so it makes sense to watch our website for store-specific sales information," she said.
As the snow mounts and the wind continues to blow, Minneapolis-based weather outlets are predicting an additional one to three inches of the white stuff by midnight.
Meanwhile the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is urging drivers between Clearwater and St. Michael to expect "difficult" driving conditions. MnDOT is warning drivers against blowing snow, packed snow on the road and icy patches beneath fresh snow.
Drivers seem to be heeding the warnings because as there are no crashes and only minimal weather-related delays on I-94 between Albertville and Minneapolis as of 4 p.m. Monday.
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