For some downtown businesses, RNC is a bust

[DonCoquixote]

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19412566/2012/08/29/for-some-downtown-businesses-rnc-is-a-bust

Again, proof of the same stuff I posted about before. What is really bad is that this station is a FOX affiliate that acts like Fox News Junior, so when THEY call the RNC a bust, it measn the truth has already begun to stink to high Heaven. Do not be fooled about Ybor though, yes, the old civic clubs may be getting buisness, but I will bet hard cash that the main bars are not.

[Gman]

1. I went to a union convention in New Orleans

Shortly after the RNC was there. The cabbies, waiters/waitresses, bars and others were very happy we were there because they said the GOP does not tip and they complain a lot.

[MrScorpio]

2. Republicans are horrible guests, especially in Democratic towns

I've seen a Bush inaugural first hand in DC to see what kind of assholes they are.

[HooptieWagon]

3. Yes! I'm friends with a pub owner...

... who's in contact with all the other small bar and resturant owners. They had a good day Monday, when the convention was cancelled, but its been dead since then. Ones inside the zone haven't even been getting their normal local traffic.

[DonCoquixote]

4. so in other words

The convention being cancelled thanks to a threat of a Hurricane was better than actually having the convention in town.

[HooptieWagon]

6. Better for small businesses yes.

The big resturants have done okay by catering. And a local coffee shop, Cafe Hey, has been command central for many of the demonstrators... offering inexpensive food specials, wifi, and storage space for belongings.

And much of the problem is out of town businesses setting up temporary clubs in vacant buildings and temporary tents. A lot of conventioneers have been going to those places.

[DonCoquixote]

7. You mean

Like the kress building on Franklin street that was turned into a temproary club?

[HooptieWagon]

8. Yes, and the big white tent at Curtis Hixon Park.

They're out of town carpet-baggers. Thats business that would have been going to local bars, resturants, concert venues.

[MineralMan]

5. Conventions, in general, don't do much good for local businesses.

The hotels love them, the cabbies hate them (no tips), and local bars and restaurants don't profit from them. Worse, their regular customers won't go near the area near the convention center.

I attended Comdex in Las Vegas for several years running, back in the 90s. It was a huge trade show, and brought an enormous number of people to Vegas for it. But, gambling revenues went way down, restaurants were empty, and you could walk through casinos without seeing more than a few people. The hotels jacked their room prices way up to try to compensate, and made money with their catering operations for all of the private parties around the city.

Conventions suck for local businesses.