Businesses split on Bush visit

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Jun 05, 2004 | by Kent, Joan

Edwardo's Pizza Wagon had so much business when President Bush visited in May, the restaurant on the far north end of Rose Street had to turn away customers.

"The buzz in the restaurant was just tremendous," said Rita Edwards, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Dick.

Sloopy's Alma Mater, which is south of Copeland Park, however, had to send home workers. "That was a Friday we could have locked up for the day," said owner Dave Berger.

While debating whether to charge Bush's re-election campaign for city services rendered for his rally May 7 in Copeland Park, some city leaders touted the economic benefit of such visits. But city businesses seem to be divided about whether the rally helped their business.

The LaCrosse Chamber of Commerce has not heard much one way or another, said Dick Granchalek, president. But he said such visits always have positives and negatives associated with them.

"There are more opportunities for customers, but unfortunately the increased traffic challenges customers," he said. "Those are some of the things people have to deal with. The opportunity is there to garner new business and show people the product you have to offer."

Businesses likely to profit from campaign visits are those with quick turnover, such as gas stations and restaurants, Granchalek said. Hotels probably did not benefit substantially, he said, as the visitors probably drove home after the event.

The La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau did not do an economic impact study, said Tom Tourville, executive director. But he said owners of about five hotels told him they had sold blocks of rooms for 7 to 10 days.

"There is no question that it had an impact," Tourville said. "And what is the value of having LaCrosse on (several national television networks)? There were 130 in the press corps. I cannot put a figure on the benefit of that, but it is very impressive."

Mr. D's Restaurant and Bakery, at 1146 State St., was among businesses that profited from the visit.

"It was a very, very busy day," said Art Lotz, owner. "There were a lot of visitors from out of town. It affected us in a positive way. Our sales were almost double what they would have been on that day."

In addition, he said many members of the Secret Service team ate at the restaurant and picked up apple fritters for the president like they did on his 2002 visit to Logan High School. But they only got 17 fritters this time, compared with more than 40 in 2002.

Edwardo's did a brisk business after the rally was over, said co-owner Rita Edwards. The North Side restaurant opens at 4 p.m., and when she did her 6 p.m. reading, she saw that business was down. But shortly after that, she said the restaurant was mobbed, becoming so busy she couldn't walk through the foyer. When the night was over, she said Edwardo's had done better than the same time last year. And she said he restaurant turned away many people.

The customers were a mix of regulars and people from out of town, she said. "They were all excited," she said. Sloopy's Alma Mater, 163 Copeland Ave., was among businesses that suffered losses.

"We had five people come to work; we sent two home at 11 and two at noon when we didn't need them anymore," said Berger. "Everyone was avoiding the area because (of road closings). (The presidedt's Visit) didn't do me any good."

The Hardee's across from Copeland Park did brisk business, said general manager Zak Bader. Traffic wasn't that big of an issue there because the streets right in front were not closed until the motorcade came, lie said. Business was best before the event, he said.

But Marge's on Rose at 833 Rose St. lost $800 that day, said owner Lauri Wolf.

"You hear lie's coming so you put on extra help, but people couldn't get here," she said. "They were routing people away from us. We had (only) two tables from 3 p.m. on."

The restaurant has 15 tables plus counter space, she said.

The visit did not affect the Guest House, 810 Fourth St. S., said owner Robin Gibb.

The Radisson Hotel saw a small effect because it bad few rooms available when contacted about housing some of the Secret Service, said James Courtney, general manager.

"But does a visit like that generate revenue in the hotel business? Yes, it does," he said. "With a sitting president, there is a big advance team. Three-hundred-plus rooms could be consumed in the market. Quite an entourage comes with the president."

The hotel business was not so much from people coming to see the event, as most probably drove home that day, he said.

The Midway Hotel, 1835 Rose St., experienced increased business, said Patti Stellmaker, general manager. "Most of the media stayed with us, and rented our banquet rooms."

City leaders are pondering how much of the cost for services rendered by the city to charge the Bush/Cheney campaign.

The LaCrosse Common Council's Finance and Personnel Committee voted Thursday to charge $7,823, far less than the $60,277 total tallied by Mayor John Medinger.

The Committee of the Whole will consider the issue Tuesday at its public hearing meeting, and the council will take the final vote Thursday.