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MILWAUKEE - Many Milwaukee businesses have spent weeks waiting for a big snow storm, and couldn't be happier one is headed our way.

Business was booming Monday at National Ace Hardware in Milwaukee.

"It's an exciting moment.  When we get blizzards this place is really hopping," general manager Jerry Binder said.

Big snow means big money, and big business like they haven't see for weeks.

"It's been quiet," Binder said.  "It's been too quiet."

Tuesday's Snowstorm: • Milwaukee in 10"-14" Snowstowm • Snow Emergencies • MPS, Other Schools Send Students Home • By The Lake: Conditions Rapidly Changing • Milwaukee County: Winds Blowing, Drifting • Wauwatosa: Roads "Not So Bad" • Waukesha County: Roads "Not Good", Schools Open • Ozaukee County: "Not Too Shabby" • Washington County: Roads "Slippery"  • Plows Working To Clear Milwaukee Roads • Snow Preps at Mitchell International • Parents Prepare for Impending Snow Days • Some Businesses Thankful for Expected Snow Storm • Troopers Warn Drivers of Pending Storm WTMJ Storm Team 4 Coverage: • Storm Team 4 • Closings • Time Saver Traffic • Live Radar • Sign up for School Closing Text Alerts • National Weather Service • Check Your Flight • Milw Parking • Sign up for Milwaukee DPW Snow Emergency Text Alerts • Pothole Tracker • Share Photos and Video with YourStory

For the last six weeks, without any major storms, they've been losing money on salt, shovels, and snowblowers.  But that all changed on Monday.

"We hope that the forecast holds," Binder said.

Also holding out hope for a big storm is Gary Czaplewski of Everest Snow Management.

"This winter's been a little disappointing thus far," Czaplewski said.

The lack of snow means a lack of work for the company's 35 plow crews.

"Our overhead doesn't go away.  So to generate money we need to be plowing.  So if we're not plowing, we're not making any money," he said.

Their trucks are loaded up with salt, and their drivers are resting before the big storm hits, because once it does, Czaplewski said:

"We're going to be very busy.  I don't plan on sleeping for a long time."