While Mississippi State University and Auburn University put hype aside and battle for at least a share of the Southeastern Conference’s western division’s top spot tomorrow, local business owners are hoping to cash in historic sales figures.
Thousands of people are expected to visit Starkville in hopes of witnessing what could be a watershed moment for the Bulldogs’ football program.
Starkville restaurant, hotel and retail managers say they’re coming off their best weekend in terms of profits after MSU decisively defeated Texas A&M University last week, and tourism officials predict an even greater influx of visitors and national attention for tomorrow’s game.
Greater Starkville Development Partnership CEO Jennifer Gregory previously estimated game day weekends deliver about $13.3 million worth of economic impact through combined direct and indirect expenditures, which roughly translates into $615,000 in local tax receipts. Besides a $500,000 surge from the state’s 7 percent general sales tax, Starkville also earns roughly $105,000 from its own 2 percent levies on food, beverages and hotel expenditures.
With the town swelling last weekend for Bulldog Bash, the state’s largest outdoor concert, and MSU’s football game, one thing is certain: Cash registers rang almost as often as cowbells.
“It was incredibly busy – busier than we’ve ever experienced in Starkville,” said Jason Stoker, a part-owner of Main Street’s Deep South Pout clothing boutique. “We had to extend our hours Friday night and Saturday morning, and will continue that this weekend so we can give visitors real shopping opportunities without having to sacrifice time or rush off and miss tailgating. It was definitely the best weekend we’ve ever had, and we’re hopeful to do it all again.”
While shoppers swarmed Starkville’s shops, last-minute planners found few open hotel rooms in the Golden Triangle and north Mississippi. Most hotel rooms within driving distance of Starkville were booked well in advance of the Bulldogs’ game.
Some Texas A&M fans even tweeted about staying at hotels in Birmingham, Alabama, last week because of the lack of vacancies, pushing their commute to Starkville across state lines.
Over at Hampton Inn’s Highway 12 location, general manager Gabe Smith said the hotel’s direct phone line rang off the hook this week with callers trying to book rooms.
“Reaching full capacity is common for us during football season in general, but what’s different is that I’ve never worked a week with so many phone calls from people looking for rooms,” he said. “Since the Southern Miss. game, the amount seems to increase exponentially daily.”
Moving back downtown, Chef Ty Thames, whose namesake Restaurant Tyler is known for its large Sunday brunch crowds after football games, said both his Main Street location and the Cotton District’s Bin 612 saw greater-than-usual sales last weekend. Staffs at both locations, he said, are prepared to eclipse those sales marks this weekend.
“With the addition of The Guest Room (a small speakeasy located in the back of Restaurant Tyler) opening up, last weekend’s crowds really pushed our sales well over normal,” he said. “All of our locations saw a lot of customers, especially the Bin because of its proximity to Bulldog Bash.”
Pumpkinpalooza starts weekend
Even the Partnership’s annual fall festival, Pumpkinpalooza, is expected to piggyback off MSU football’s buzz and draw record crowds tonight.
The downtown event begins at 6 p.m. A MSU pep rally is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., while fans will get their first look at MSU men’s basketball team action during 7 p.m.’s Maroon Madness exhibition.
The family friendly event is expected to offer activities for all ages, including trick-or-treating and a pumpkin patch for children, and shopping and dining experiences at Main Street merchants for adults.
Parents can purchase pumpkins for their children to paint at a painting station sponsored by Starkville Area Arts Council, while live models from MSU’s Fashion Board will feature various clothes in boutique’s windows.
The inaugural Pumpkinpalooza drew about 2,500 people in 2009, while crowds could near the 10,000-person mark this weekend.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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