GOP convention not boom for Tampa merchants

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MIKE SCHNEIDER

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Streets in the heart of downtown are eerily quiet, key intersections blocked off. Even the best restaurants are easy to get into without a reservation or much of a wait.

It's supposed to be an honor to be picked as the host city of a presidential nominating convention.

But so far, a combination of nasty weather, tight security that blocks off streets and a delay in Republican National Convention activities has left Tampa's streets deserted, its restaurants nearly empty. Some merchants remain hopeful they'll make up for it in the next several days, while others worry they've lost so much money from investing in extra staff, food and merchandise that no amount of business will put them in the black this week.

Jeff Morzella had hoped the convention would double business, but on Monday, only 75 customers ate in his restaurant compared to 400 patrons on a typical day.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120828/DA0UKHT01.html

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A street in downtown Tampa is shown Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. It's supposed to be an honor to be picked as the host city of a presidential nominating convention. But so far, a combination of nasty weather, tight security that blocks off streets and a delay in convention activities has left Tampa's streets deserted, its restaurants nearly empty. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

[MrSlayer]

1. It's typical.

They raise the expectations and then fail miserably. It's the Republican way.

[lame54]

2. If you live on tips - you're screwed

[liberal N proud]

3. Check the strip clubs

[C_U_L8R]

4. They don't call 'em conservatives for nothin'

tightwads, cheapskates and partypoopers.

[Beowulf]

5. I was living in NYC in 2004

Talking with people in the service industry at that time, two themes came up repeatedly. One was that many of the parties were held on private yachts. I lived in West Chelsea and you could see the rows of limos around the piers. The other is that GOPers don't tip. They believe tipping is a scam, that service workers earn great wages. GOPers hate mixing it up with ordinary people. So hosting a GOP convention isn't much of an economic boost, in fact it's a loser for many in the service/tourist industry.

[LynneSin]

10. I was in NYC for the counter protests for that convention

Some of us dined out the one night at a reasonably priced italian restaurant and the waiter was glad to hear we were democrats. He said the tips were pretty shitty from the GOP but the saving grace was that parties of 6 or more they were adding in the 18% to ensure the waitstaff got their tips.

[snappyturtle]

6. I suppose the repubs demanded all this security to protect and isolate

themselves and the business owners are paying the tab. What a shame.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Public/taxpayer funded security, convention center, airports, ports, and roads -

and the pubs shit over all of it like they normally do, enjoy the benefits of it while at the same time calling it all evil.

I bet the strip clubs and the hookers are making money hand over fist, though.

[Javaman]

8. Isn't this typical of repuke conventions?

I've read this before regarding the last 2. they are cheap.

[LynneSin]

9. Look to be fair, Isaac probably did have a big impact

They shut down the convention and warned people to stay inside when the storm passed. Hopefully things will pick up with the later part of this week.

[muntrv]

11. Check the titty bars.

[wordpix]

12. shouldn't that be "not a boon" ?