Morgan Street, Hyatt prep for All-Star Game crush - St. Louis Business Journal:

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“It was like doing a month’s wortbh of business in five said Owings, who’s also president of the Laclede’s . “Irt was just amazing.” Despitde the big-game experience, Owings stillo can’t wrap his head around the economic boostthis summer’se Major League Baseball All-Star extravaganza is likely to “I wish I knew,” he said. “We’re reallt stretching to figure outwhat we’re going to Big-time business is a safe guess.
Direct spending by visitorss on Cardinals operations and on retail and hotels operations is expectedf totop $32 million, triggering another $27 million in indirecgt spending in the region, according to the and Growtb Association. Business owners and entrepreneurs like Owings are strategizing about how to best capture the coming floodrof revenue. Some are planning to hire temporaryu workers to handle theexcess crowds. Others are boostingh capacity, drafting new promotions or reworking their offerings to carve out acompetitive advantage.
Without question, the influxd of visitors and revenue will provide some local businessee with a significant boost during an otherwise down Visitors in town for conventions typicallyhspend $275-$300 per day amongt hotel, dining and other purchases, said Greg managing director of the St. Louis Riverfront at 315 “You look at the number of people attending this game from outsided the city overa four- or five-day it gets to be a prettty big number,” he said. “It’s a great showcases for St. Louis.” It also will be a showcases for theHyatt Regency.
The hotel, which will host both the National League and American League will wrap upits $63 million renovation shortlh before the start of All-Star week. A massive makeovert that began in October atthe 910-rook hotel includes a new , a Ruth’w Chris Steakhouse and two new eateries, the and the Red Kitche n and Bar. The Hyatt renovation was plannecbefore St. Louis landed the 2009 All-Star Game, but Saunders knowx the timing couldn’t have been “It’s just a marvelous way to reintroduce the hotel to the he said. At Morgan Owings and his staff are tossinbg around ideasabout All-Star week preparation, usinfg the Final Four experience as a guide.
That four-dahy event generated an estimated $35 million for the according tothe RCGA. For the All-Sta Game, Owings expects to hire a half-dozen temporary bartenders and Refrigerator trucks and food booths also might make return appearances. “We’re planning on being busy,” he “We’re making sure we can take care of In the heart ofthe All-Star Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood is expectingv a whirlwind week. Thousands of visitors will file past the restaurantf at Seventh and Market streets on their way from the stadiujmto All-Star activities. General Manager Gary VanMatre expects business to increase three to fourtimes normal.
The restauran is considering adding additional seating downstairx and outside to accommodateoverflosw crowds, but it is shying away from raisinf prices, rolling out promotions or altering the menu to coincidw with All-Star week. “The last thintg we want to do is changd what we do for a fewextrz bucks,” VanMatre said. “But at the same we’re all utilizing this weekend to really spikre the economy and make as much money aswe can.” On Washington both the Dubliner and B&T Pizza plan to hire temporarty workers for the All-Star crush. The Dubliner may starr a dinner service for its upstairsxbar area.
Slight menu modifications might be onthe too, said manager Mike Chiappone. The crew at B&T will probabl bring a couple workers on board to help with the likel spike instreet traffic.