The snow Portage has received is a reminder Christmas isn't that far away.

That's the opinion of Portage Mall Manager Lynn Jonasson.

She believes it creates a new outlook on the coming festive season, adding the mall is ready for the rush. They began building Christmas displays in the early fall, so they'd be ready by mid-November.

Jonasson's convinced the arrival of snow that's going to stay will have more impact on business in the whole Portage area than the white stuff that fell in October.