Felix Atlasman’s hardware store on 9th Avenue has been in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood since 1955.

“Our motto is, if we don’t have it, you don’t need it, so we do have a little bit of everything," said Atlasman.

Like many other small businesses, the pandemic has devastated the hardware store.

Atlasman says business is down by 80%.

Nearby Broadway being shut down, buildings in the area with low occupancy and neighboring stores going out of business, he says is all a part of the problem. But Atlasman is thankful for the snowy winter.

“We have had shovels for the last five years, but like I said we haven’t this back to back snow. It almost like the season is becoming winter again. Because the past couple winter we are lucky to have just a sprinkle. So I am happy," he said.

Another weekend with a winter storm, Atlasman has all his snow inventory ready for customers in the front of the store.

“I had a customer yesterday, she was on vacation, her car was covered in ice so she actually bought salt just to get some of that ice off so she could shovel. “

But even with the boost from the snow, Atlasman is still behind a few months on rent.

Pre-pandemic he had to constantly restock gaffer tape, used for productions. With Broadway shut down, rolls still sit on the shelves.

“Its how do you do day to day business. Snow is great. But that is just for one day. There are seven days in a week," he said.

Atlasman says he is hoping to negotiate a lower rent with his landlord in order to keep his hardware store open.