By the tens of thousands, they came and went, toting guns and all! Heck, they didn’t want alcohol sold in the gorgeous new Phoenix Convention Center while these gun-toting people were in the building, it just seemed too risky.
But, as speakers spoke of gun rights and people milled around looking at their dream arsenal, they did something amazing… They spent money! Lots of money. According to a Fox 10 story titled, NRA Convention Brings Influx of Cash to Phoenix, the local economy received an injection of $70 million in revenues.
In the same article, Mayor Gordon was quoted as saying, “The light rail has been packed all weekend. It stops right in front of the convention center, and for businesses around here, that means more money.”
The estimated 60,000 people that attended had to eat, drink and shop somewhere. In the “Metro Marche” at the Convention Center, places like the tasty Crust Italian American Fusion restaurant were packed to the gills. Said Crust co-owner Ryan Mitchell, “The numbers were great! We had a constant line for four days.” The restaurant sold thousands of sandwiches and the huge convention was a “total boost for business.”
Apparently, the only shot heard was the shot in the arm for valley business…
© 2009
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hate to be a hater…but how many of the businesses that did well this weekend were local? I hope that many of them were.
Tyler, I think a lot of hotels were full, Majerles was PACKED, local restaurants near the CC seem to have done well etc.
Heck yeah, the chains and nationals benefit too, but I bet PHX is ok with that.
When 60,000 people come to a convention, some of the locals will benefit as people do spend money when they go to conventions. (imo)
It’s funny that the media makes the NRA a big scary thing and that it’s surprising that NRA members are normal tax paying citizens that contribute to local business lol… not just crazy militia men plotting martial law haha.
Anyways, it was a good show and glad to see Phx participating.
That’s great news … for the economy, for the light rail and for the State of Arizona! Good things do happen ….
Chuck, that is kind of funny. I am glad no one got hurt. :-)
Calie… Yes, they do. :-)