Businesses seek student business
Story Created:
Aug 31, 2009 at 4:54 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2009 at 6:12 PM EDT
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Within a couple of days 3,300 students will return to Herkimer County Community College meaning a huge swell for the town and potential customers for nearby businesses.
The closest business to campus is That's Amore pizzeria, a restaurant in its second year hoping to fatten profits with hungry collegiate clientele. After a dry two week period, owner Pat Palmiotto says profit will rise ten-fold in the coming weeks because of students. Aside from the Super Bowl, this is his busiest time of the year. If all goes well, Palimotto plans to hire several more workers to handle large crowds.
In Utica, bowling alley owner Andy Weimer has had a tougher time attracting crowds. His business, Pin-O-Rama is less than a mile from the Utica College campus but has a greater number of SUNYIT students generally than those from U.C.
"We are hoping our leagues which are a big part of our business come in strong in September and open bowling was little off so we are hoping we get back on track with that," said Weimer.
The recession may have hit many in late 2008-2009 but Pin-O-Rama has been struggling during fall each of the last two years. Wet summer weather helped bump profit which Weimer says has resulted in a 10% rise in revenue year-to-date.
The overall success of these businesses, this season management says will depend on whether college students decide to spend heavily and travel some, or reel-back as many of their parents have.
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