Google Local and Seasonal Location

[enjoiart]

We currently rank in the local 3 pack for multiple keywords for our first location. We just opened a second location which is currently hanging at around #20 in the local results.  We have decided to close the first highly ranking location seasonally. We do not want to send customers to that closed location. However we also do not want to list the address with google as "permanently closed" in fear of losing all ranking power of that listing. Is it possible to transfer ranking power from location to the other or merge 2 different locations? Has anyone had any experience with this, tips, advice??

Thanks in advance!

Chris

[MiriamEllis]

Hey Christopher,

Unfortunately, Google doesn't have a function for setting seasonal dates/hours. Here's a recent thread from the Google forum, including a response from a Top Contributor:

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/business/V4cjaNYIS6w;context-place=topicsearchin/business/seasonal|sort:date

Here's another:

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/business/U1Vo5-afRDo;context-place=topicsearchin/business/seasonal|sort:date

It's my memory that Google once forbid the inclusion of seasonal businesses in their local product, but this language no longer exists in their guidelines. If you report the business as closed, then you will likely lose rankings ... just not a great situation. Is there no staff at the location at all during the off-season? Not even to take phone calls?