ESL Podcast 376 – Asking About Business Hours

Store owner: Hello.

Karin: Hello, is this Joe’s Shoe Repair?

Store owner: Yes, how can I help you?

Karin: I’m calling to find out your business hours.

Store owner: We’re open 24/7.

Karin: Really? You’re open 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Store owner: Yes, we are, more often than not. Of course we close for major holidays.

Karin: Is that all?

Store owner: We also close the first and third Monday and every other Sunday of each month, except the fourth Sunday, when we’re always open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., unless we have extended hours.

Karin: Oh, okay. If I brought in a pair of shoes to be fixed¹ today, how quickly can you have them ready?

Store owner: Normally, we can have shoes repaired in three or four days, but not this week.

Karin: Why?

Store owner: We’re closed Wednesday through Friday for renovation².

Karin: Okay, what if I brought them in next week?

Store owner: That’s no good either. The exterminators are coming in and we’re closed Monday through Thursday.

Karin: Are you pulling my leg?

Store owner: Of course not! This is a respectable business. I never joke about business.

Karin: How about the week after next?

Store owner: Sorry, but you’re out of luck. The week after next we’re closed for vacation.

Karin: When do you actually open 24/7?

Store owner: We’re always open 24/7 – with just a few exceptions.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

2 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。