RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Day three of the UCI Road World Championships and area business are hoping their cash registers start ringing soon.
Many restaurants are reporting dismal sales so far.
From Main Street to Downtown, restaurants and hotels, they sat nearly empty this week despite the “world being in Richmond.”
“I can tell you we took a 50 percent hit for the same week a year ago,” said Michael Byrne, the Director of Operations at the Tobacco Company.
Byrne says this past Friday and Saturday night, which are usually his peak times, felt more like a snow storm event than a world class bike race.
“We’re not having to go back and cut costs just to try and maintain,” said Byrne.
He says his neighbor, the Berkley Hotel, saw only 16 percent of their rooms filled this weekend. Compare that to a normal weekend last year they would have been sold out.
Across town in the Fan District the story is much the same.
“We’re excited that we are getting international attention, however we haven’t seen any tourist,” said Jake Crocker, FW Sullivans.
Owners say not only does there not seem to be many tourist and spectators dining in but locals have been scared off.
“There is plenty of parking, the roads aren’t closed, the restaurants aren’t full with European tourist,” said Crocker.
Race organizers say they expect the crowds to pick up once we get closer to the weekend.
