The winter rains don’t just come on the Oregon Coast — they pour and don’t stop for tourists, construction workers, house painters or road crews.

For many shop owners waiting for the next customer to walk in the door, time seems to stand still in the rainy season.

It can be downright scary for small business owners, particularly watching the crash of the national economy. Those businesses that survive typically figure out tricks to adapt and change quickly when sales are skinny. They keep close tabs on their money, even if there’s plenty of it heading into winter.

“Just because you have money, doesn’t mean you have to spend it,” said Jan Tucker.

Tucker has owned The Pottery Co. in Coos Bay for eight years, but she doesn’t assume her business is guaranteed continued success. She’s constantly thinking.

“Plan ahead,” she said.

Holidays help, said Tucker, who also markets to people shopping for gifts throughout the year.

With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of the products on the shelves. At Coos Grange Supply, the store shifts gears about now to cater to its customers’ colder season needs.

“We don’t stock stuff that wouldn’t be needed,” pet and animal health department manager Chris Brown said.

Customers will see less of the outdoor toys, such as balls or anything dogs can fetch, and more of the fluffy toys dogs can play with inside. Pet medications switch from flea treatment to hip and joint supplements.

“They’re like human beings in the winter,” Brown said.

Cows and horses graze much less in the winter, so the store sees upticks in hay and grain feed sales, along with dietary supplements in the cold months.

Some patterns, such as increased sales in wood pellets or rubber boats, are logical, but others are surprising. The grange always sees a steady sale of plant seeds throughout the winter for people who start gardens early in hothouses.

“A lot of people think it comes to a screeching halt, but it doesn’t,” Brown said.

The store’s nursery will be packed with colorful plants until the rainy season hits full force. Then the sales in that part of the store drop off.

“That’s the time people need to think about what they want to do in the next year,” Brown said.

Bay Area business owners can find assistance from information online, books and local classes and workshops all offering tips for prospective and established business owners.

“Every city has different slow times,” said North Bend resident, Carol Denbow, author of the book, “Are You Ready to ... Be Your Own Boss.” “The trick to that is to tuck away everything you can in the good months. Pull from the business as much as you can and still live comfortably.”

Businesses also can offer reduced prices or specials in slow months, she said.

Siren Song owner Aimee Eliott said the months many tourist-oriented businesses consider skinny are her best. With the holidays in full swing, her gift store tends to see a few more customers.

“My answer to how to survive the slow months is local support — people shopping locally,” Eliott said.

Eliott said the secret to surviving the slim months — late winter and early spring — is partially in budgeting for light sales in part of the year but mostly she fosters local clientele.

“I’m not sure what the winter will bring for us,” said Frankie Redding, who has owned West Coast Fencing in Coos Bay with her husband, Glen Redding, for 271⁄2 years. “I could use the tips.”

While the Redding’s business had done well until recent months, she is keeping wary eyes on the economy.

Bad times are good times to hold a special event, increase Web presence or add something that’s needed during the slow time, said Arlene Soto, director of the Business Development Center in North Bend.

“For example, in the landscaping business — maybe they’ll clean gutters or something to offset that slower timeframe,” Soto said.

“We wouldn’t be able to keep busy just having the one thing,” said Rick Cox.

Cox and his wife, Peggy Cox, offer multiple services to get by at their business, Secure Your Mail. It’s a mobile service that sells and installs locking mail boxes. They also offer wall safes and custom home address plaques. Rick, who retired from Lumbermen’s Building Center after 17 years, has a general contractor’s license and does finish carpentry.

They also try creative advertising. They have attended home shows, joined the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and set up displays at businesses that provide related services or products. Customers tell them they like the convenience of service brought to their homes.

“I think the main thing is customer service,” Peggy Cox said.

There aren’t many business owners who disagree with that sentiment.

While Dunes Coastal Gift Store owner Barb Bennett has gotten by with lots of advertising and keeping new merchandise on the shelves in her downtown Coos Bay shop, she had a tip for those who deal with the public.

“Don’t be pushy. But be a better salesman. You have to let people know about what you have.”