Heat Forces Sacramento Antique Store To Rethink Hours, Close Early

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SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A Sacramento antique store shut its doors for the day earlier this week when temperatures got too hot.

The owners of the store say it can feel like a sauna when temperatures go past triple-digits, so instead of handing customers a towel, they thought it was better to conserve and get a break on their power bill instead.

With temperatures hovering well above the century mark, Ron Curtis and Paulette Volz opted to close Antiques & Collectibles Marketplace.

"We have a very successful website and we do 30 percent of our business on the website," he said.

Volz must keep the indoor showroom below 78 degrees to make sure porcelain dolls don't crack and peel.

"Barbie dolls with the clear plastic will turn yellow in excessive heat or it will crack and you've lost the mint in the box," she said.

But with a furniture showroom nearly 20 degrees hotter, swamp coolers provide the only relief to keep the wood pieces from drying out.

The owners instead are opening early, opting for 10-5 instead of 9-4 to beat the heat. They recommend calling to make sure they're open if it gets above 100 degrees.