Trials: Business boom or bust?

Restaurants and retailers have not seen boom in business they had expected.

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Story Published: Jul 2, 2008 at 7:28 AM PST

By KVAL Web Staff

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EUGENE, Ore. - The Olympic Trials have brought thousands of fans to the Willamette Valley.

Local businesses were hoping to cash in big-time, but turns out some are off to a slow start.

Business owners said they haven't seen nearly as many customers during the trials as they were expecting.

The ones we talked to said it could be because people are afraid of the traffic downtown or the fan festival only includes the area around Hayward Field.

The hardest hit? Restaurants and retailers.

"We haven't seen the boom we were expecting to see," said Tracy Reyes, owner of the Lucky Noodle.

"More than anything I'm disappointed for our tenants. We were hoping that with the economy as it is, this would give everybody kind of a little jump," said Bri Bridges of the 5th Street Market.

Many businesses also rely on a loyal group of regulars, but they say they are also taking a break.

The Olympic Trials will be back in Eugene in 2012.

The business owners we talked to said next time, they'd like to see festival events include the entire city.

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