With prices rising, local businesses are hit hard

 

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Ahead of the president's tax relief, prices at Wisconsin gas stations have fallen 14 cents in the last week, according to Gas Buddy. While that is good news for the approaching holiday, you will be seeing higher prices for other things at your backyard picnic.

Check it out, hard to believe that might make you smile. Southeast Wisconsin is now under $5 per gallon as we approach the 4th of July. But, while you will be spending a little less here, guarantee you will be spending more elsewhere.

"We've been working really hard to get this place looking like this," said Alex Ribi, assistant manager of Phantom Fireworks.

Fourth of July and fireworks just go together.

"And then we have things like Phandemoneum, this is our top seller. It's 205 shots," said Ribi.

At over $300 for the package, that is up about 10 percent from last year. The reason why?

"So freight went up for everything to get shipped over here. So that's just kind of why our prices went up," said Ribi.

"They're expensive but you know, you want to enjoy yourself and make the best out of things," said one shopper from Milwaukee.

Inflation is also making it hard for local wineries to keep costs down.

"Because we do all our draft ciders in cans, aluminum tariffs and metal shortages hit us first. That doubled the cost of the packaging," said Charles McGonegal, owner of Aeppeltreow Winery & Distillery.

Local wineries are paying more for their cans, bottles and shipping.

"I remember just a couple years ago the cost of a shipping container was $300. Now it's over $3,000," said Randy Larson, owner of Spirits of Norway Vineyard and Winery.

Spirits of Norway ordered extra bottles last fall. They are stocked for now, but...

"There are other wineries in Wisconsin that are sending out email messages, hey anybody got any bottles for sale?" said Larson.

Aeppeltreow Winery and Distillery has been making hard ciders in Burlington for some 20 years. This year, the owner is also concerned because they are not in the big city.

"So you know I'm just crossing my fingers that especially with elevated gas prices that people will still come to see us," said McGonegal.

So while you will be paying a little less for gas than we've been paying, that savings may be passed on to your fireworks and spirits.