Article updated: 1/20/2013 6:55 AM

Wimpy winter teaches Plainfield teens cold facts of business

Shovel Boys cleaned up in 2011, but now idle

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So far this winter, the lacrosse net has been more likely to see action than the snow shovels. This is bad news for The Shovel Boys business started by Sean Rooney, left, and Nick Pardo.

Burt Constable | Staff Photographer

The Shovel Boys made enough money after the Blizzard of 2011 to buy an iPad, sports equipment and this snowblower. Buried under lacrosse equipment and shoes, the snowblower hasn't left the garage this winter.

Burt Constable | Staff Photographer

The single snowstorm that buried this car in Arlington Heights in 2011 dropped more snow in 24 hours than we've seen last winter and so far this winter combined.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Launching The Shovel Boys snow-removal service in time for the snowy winter of 2010-2011, seventh-graders Nick Pardo and Sean Rooney made plenty of dough.

Courtesy of the Shovel Boys

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The Shovel Boys, Nick Pardo and Sean Rooney of Plainfield, spent about $100 of their early profits on these fancy business fliers. But they can't get jobs this winter until it snows.

Courtesy of the Shovel Boys

About this Article

The Blizzard of 2011 financed everything from an iPad and expensive new baseball equipment to shovels and a snowblower for two pals who launched their Shovel Boys business that year. Now grizzled teens, the Shovel Boys are trying to survive a nearly snowless winter. “What can we do?” Nick Pardo says. “I mean we can't make it snow.”