CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Clean up is underway outside the Spectrum Center after a busy weekend.
- While many restaurants chose to lease their space to the NBA or sponsors, some decided to stay open.
- The CRVA says the exact financial impact of the All-Star weekend isn't calculated yet but it will be big. It will likely be more than $100 million.
- The CRVA says there were more than 16,000 NBA volunteers who helped with the All-Star weekend.
Greg Chapman had a good spot for his Rutherford County food trailer. He says business was steady but the roadblocks did keep some people away.
“I understand that also because there were some very important people here this weekend that needed all the protection they could get,” said Rocky Hill Bar-B-Que and catering owner Greg Chapman.
Up the street from Chapman, businesses at the Epicenter had a tough decision to make.
While many restaurants chose to lease their space to the NBA or sponsors, the Tin Roof decided to stay open.
“We do sell food and alcohol so those places that were open, that were leased out, were no longer a part of the competition for us this weekend,” said Tin Roof General Manager Tanner Huddleston.
It was worth it. The general manager says it was their biggest week in sales since they opened five-and-a-half years ago.
“Making sure that we have jobs for people that work in the hospitality industry,” said Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Tom Murray. “Remember one in nine people work in that industry."
The CRVA says the exact financial impact of the All-Star weekend isn't calculated yet but it will be big. It will likely be more than $100 million. But Murray says the weekend was also about using the international spotlight to put Charlotte on the map as well as building the Queen's City sense of community.
“I sensed even at the host reception... a real sense of camaraderie of our community and that can't do anything but help our community,” Murray said.
Chapman says this weekend was just the start. He'll be back in a week for the CIAA Tournament and next month for the ACC Tournament.
The CRVA says there were more than 16,000 NBA volunteers who helped with the All-Star weekend.