Recently, I found myself in need of a new snow scoop. While in Lewiston, I visited five well-known businesses, two of which were home improvement stores; three were hardware stores. Every store was sold out of scoops.

At my home in Norway, I have more than 2 feet of standing snow, yet one of those home improvement stores had more than 300 square feet of display space dedicated to lawnmowers and grills. I wonder how many lawnmowers they sold that day.

Businesses complain about the economy and hurting sales, yet there I was, cash in hand, unable to buy something that should be in stores for at least another month.

Too bad. I’m sure they will get a bailout when they decide to go out of business.

Store officials should know by now that winter is the time for long underwear and shovels.

Summer is the time for bathing suits and sunscreen. That is Economics 101.

Stephen P. Smith, Hebron