Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- More than 25,000 people were on hand to cap off a two day symposium featuring his holiness the Dalai Lama, but it’s not just performers and concert goers feeling the spirit of peace and love, businesses on SU Hill are too.
For some it nearly tripled their bottom line. One restaurant owner said the last time a concert drew that kind of crowd was when the Rolling Stones came to Syracuse back in the 1980s.
At Acropolis Pizza House the busy season usually starts when the Orange hit the court, but this week the rush came a little early when businesses doubled in just two days with the Dalai Lama’s trip to Central New York.
“I wish everyday was like this. Business was very good…no problems, everything went smooth,” said owner Peter Mavrikidis.
Mavrikidis and his staff worked around the clock to prepare for the thousands of people that visited the Dome for the One World Concert. The large crowd was a big payoff for nearly every business on Marshall Street.
In restaurants like Cosmos Pizza, Matthew Rossman said the uptick in business started on Monday and it didn’t slow down until late Tuesday night.
“It was amazing. It was great. Everyone went home eating, got paid and it gets the name out there for future prospects or people coming to Marshall Street,” Rossman said.
Their daily profit almost mirrored a busy day during basketball season.
“People are always looking to spend a little bit more here and there and it creates a lot more business for the businesses up there,” Rossman continued.
Marshall Street businesses just hope their good fortune continues for weeks to come.
