Photo by Jay Young Several kayakers are pictured Monday morning on Chautauqua Lake in Mayville. Businesses that rent equipment for lake use have reported a bump in customers recently.

MAYVILLE — A picture-perfect summer amid a pandemic that is forcing people into new, typically outdoor habits, seems to be helping businesses around Chautauqua Lake.

Mike Kingsley, owner of Evergreen Outfitters in Mayville, said he has seen a large increase — about double the business — in those renting equipment including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards. He’s found that many renters are not from the area, rather they are from Buffalo, Cleveland and even New York City.

“We’re doubling last year’s numbers with rentals,” said Kingsley, noting that with the cancellation of in-person events at the nearby Chautauqua Institution, there was worry of a drop in overall business.

That has not been the case this summer.

“We’re seeing all these people from these urban areas like New York City, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh,” he said. “There’s this increase in demand from people who’ve had to cancel their original plans because they had to be more cautious and people who want to get outside. And to top it off we’ve had perfect weather.”

Photo by Jay Young Mike Kingsley, owner of Evergreen Outfitters in Mayville, is pictured Monday with a customer.

Evergreen Outfitters, like many businesses adapting to new norms brought on by COVID-19, is helping many people get on Chautauqua Lake, but from a distance. Kingsley said they are trying to limit the number of people inside their Water Street location while advising customers on product and technique without the usual hands-on approach.

“We’ve had to adjust our practices,” he said. “We’re sanitizing and disinfecting between uses and maintaining distance.”

Other area businesses with ties to the lake have reported an increase in customers as well. Andrew Finson, Lawson Boat & Motor president, said last week that they started renting fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks and water bikes this summer to people through the marina’s Bemus Bay Water Toys business.

He added that they have 22 water bikes people can rent to explore the waterways around the marina.

“It’s been very busy,” Finson said. “On the weekends, our parking lot is packed.”

Due to the pandemic, Kingsley said getting new product in to sell has been difficult. They have had to purchase used kayaks and paddle boards to meet customer demand.

“We’re selling product that hasn’t even been made yet,” Kingsley said, noting that many customers have put in orders for items that might not come in until next spring. “Every level of the supply chain has been impacted (by COVID-19), from the companies that make the board to those that buy the plastic for them. We’re going to continue to see a slowdown, and the challenge is on the supply side with record demand and record shortages. We’re not going to catch up by next year.”

The same can be said for bicycles. In June, Hollyloft Ski, Bike & Snowboard Shop and the Jamestown Cycle Shop reported having a hard time keeping product and accessories in stock due to increase demand for those looking to get outdoors and disrupted supply chains.

“People have been forced to stay at home, and what better way to get outdoors and get some fresh air?” Les Johnson, owner of Hollyloft, said in June.