CLAYTON -- Carrying bright yellow tote bags, attendees of the 2012 N.C. Main Street conference strolled along downtown streets last week browsing through store windows and taking advantage of multiple dining opportunities in Clayton.
The consensus among local business owners was positive with many restaurants reporting doing double their normal business for lunch and dinner service over the three-day period. Many noted an increase in sales beginning Wednesday evening through late Friday. The major rush was felt during Thursday, the event's first full day and restaurants along Main Street were jam packed.
"We did get a good pop during lunch," said Michael Grannis, proprietor of Clayton Steakhouse.
He estimated that an average Thursday brings in a lunch crowd of around 60 diners. That day they served nearly twice that amount.
"We also had a nice dinner service the night before on the conference's opening night," he added. "We served 95 customers when we usually do around 50. The event has been a big help to the restaurants and businesses in the area."
Betty Ortiz, owner of Lucky Chicken Peruvian restaurant, had a full house for lunch on Thursday with four servers turning over 19 tables that were continuously being filled with hungry patrons standing outside the establishment.
"We were really crowded," she said. "We didn't imagine how crowded it would get and it got crazy with people. This has been good for all the downtown businesses."
Blocks away, diners were also packing into The Flipside and Coffee Mill pleasantly overwhelming the staff.
"It was awesome and we were completely filled with people," explained co-owner Michele Smith.
During Thursday's lunch the restaurant's main dining room, Coffee Mill seating area and a private dining room in the back were filled to capacity. Smith said they served around 80 meals, twice their usual amount. Extra staff was also brought in to help out with lunch and dinner service during the entire three day conference.
"We made it through," Smith said. "With such a small kitchen you can only put out so much food at one time. We had to tell customers they would have about a 25 minute wait. Everyone was very patient and understanding."
Shops along downtown also reaped benefits from the increase in visitors.
"The conference made a significant impact on our sales and foot traffic," remarked Vickie Britt, owner of Hidden Treasures Thrift Shop on Main Street. In business for only six months, she said the event helped to increase visibility of her shop and others along downtown.
Taking advantage of the warm weather, Elmore Furniture opened their doors to welcome passer-by's.
"We've had quite a bit of foot traffic go by here," said store manager Mary Barbour manager. "Even quite a few have come in and browsed to see what we have to offer. This has been a good thing to get people into town and to see what our downtown is all about."
Rooms at local accommodations filled up quickly with out of town guests needing a place to stay.
Shawn Higgins, front desk manager at the Holiday Inn Express, said the hotel was nearly sold out for the conference's first evening, not typical for a Wednesday. Bookings for Thursday were also unusually high.
"It was a good boost for us," Higgins said.
The Morning Glory Inn, a five-bedroom bed and breakfast located on E. Second Street was completely booked during the conference's two nights according to owner Betsy Grannis.
"It was exciting to see all these people come to town," said Kim Pellegrino, owner of Pink Flamingo Thrifts & Gifts on E. Second Street. "This program could have gone anywhere but decided to come here. It's been an honor to have been chosen."
