CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
"We're cautiously preparing for work", that's how Steve Casner of Alexander Michael's Restaurant is looking at the Democratic National Convention. Casner is one of several business owners who aren't sure if the DNC will help or hurt business.
Traffic around Time Warner Cable Arena and the Convention Center will likely be restricted because of convention business, and around Bank of America Stadium where the President will accept his party's nomination.
Neither the U-S Secret Service nor Charlotte Police are discussing street closings. Christina Skiouris of The Open Kitchen - which is less than a mile away from Bank of America Stadium - says "we're real excited the DNC will be in town - just wish the City and Police Department were more informative about road closings and hours."
Despite the unknown, Skiouris says she will have extra staff working during the week of the DNC, and she plans to stock extra ingredients. She says the Open Kitchen usually draws a big crowd from downtown when workers take lunch. Skiouris says "I think we're going to lose alot of our lunch crowd which comes from downtown. So if they close businesses downtown we won't have them as our regular lunch customers but we're expecting buses of people coming by."
Some residents say they're heading out of town or planning to stay home. A few say they will try to venture near the Convention venues. Since there's no way to predict if delegates - who are already scheduled to attend several parties - will go out and spend money, many in the service industry are wondering who will restaurants attract?
Consider London, where the Summer Olympics are in full swing. Restaurants and businesses are complaining. The City - outside of the Olympic village - is a ghost town. The locals have stayed away and vistors are staying close to the competition.
Is the experience of business owners in London a warning for Charlotte during the DNC?
Michael Smith of Center City Partners says "this is not going to be a giant windfall for businesses in the center city. I think it can be lumpy. Certain businesses, that based on location, could see a nice spike." Smith says the City recognizes that it could be difficult for some people to navigate around the DNC but he says "we've hosted bigger conventions than this one. It's not about the size of the convention. The win for Charlotte is the fact that we're going to be on the world stage for six days."
Restaurants say they have no choice but to prepare as if crowds will come. Casner of Alexander Michael's says he plans to open the Sunday before and Labor Day - days his restaurant is normally closed. And he is willing to stay open later on days the convention is in session. Casner says "if I don't get people from out of town - if we're not on their radar, then the locals who don't want to get in the fray will still come here."
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