Downtown Cleveland experienced a significant boost during St. Patrick’s Day festivities, bringing back foot traffic to local businesses. General manager Sean O’Donnell expressed his excitement at the crowds returning downtown after a few quiet years. Restaurants, like Zanzibar Soul Fusion, also reported an increase in customer traffic despite inflation driving prices up. The National Restaurant Association reports that 92% of restaurant operators believe the cost of food is a significant issue for their businesses. Local restaurants have had to rely on loyal customers to get through the tough times. Although the industry faces challenges, downtown Cleveland businesses remain hopeful for the future with the return of visitors.
Downtown Cleveland Businesses Experience a Welcome Boost During St. Patrick’s Day Festivities
After a few quiet years, downtown Cleveland businesses enjoyed a welcome boost as crowds returned to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The annual festivities, which were back in full swing, brought back the much-needed foot traffic to the area.
The general manager at Flannery’s Pub, Sean O’Donnell, expressed his excitement about the surge in visitors. “It’s good for the business, it’s good for the city, it’s just good to get a bunch of people back downtown,” O’Donnell said. Other businesses, like Zanzibar Soul Fusion, also reported an increase in customer traffic.
However, the restaurant industry, in general, has faced challenges in recent times. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry hard, and inflation has further driven prices up. The National Restaurant Association reports that 92% of restaurant operators believe the cost of food is a significant issue for their businesses. Local restaurants like Zanzibar have had to rely on their loyal customers to get through the tough times. According to the restaurant’s General Manager, Susan Singleton, “Through the pandemic, we capitalized on our ‘to goes,’ so we never lost a beat on anything. My biggest problem was staffing. Nobody wanted to work.”
Despite the challenges, businesses in downtown Cleveland are optimistic about the future. Zanzibar’s team leader, James Webb, is confident that the area will continue to thrive. “Nighttime is the real lifetime here,” he said. “We’re one big, happy family, but overall, it’s good.”
In conclusion, St. Patrick’s Day festivities have brought back the much-needed foot traffic to downtown Cleveland. Although the restaurant industry faces challenges, businesses like Zanzibar Soul Fusion have managed to rely on their loyal customers. The businesses in downtown Cleveland remain hopeful for the future, and with the return of visitors, they may be on their way to a full recovery.
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