Posted on 07/28/2004 7:02:33 AM PDT by Radix
Empty eateries, empty promises
North End restaurant owners are cursing the Democratic National Convention as a business bust that has scared away their regular customers and turned a tourist mecca into a desolate security zone.
``I do more business during a February snowstorm than I've done this week,'' said a downtrodden Dom Capossela, owner of Dom's Ristorante on Salem Street. ``It's an absolute disaster.''
Hopes were high for a hefty boost from convention traffic this week, but many restaurateurs say business has been so slow they are planning to close early unless they see a dramatic turnaround.
The normally bustling business district, which sits in the shadow of the FleetCenter, was eerily quiet Monday and yesterday as police and military officials patrolled the neighborhood like it was a war-torn European city.
In a sight that shocked longtime residents, there were even a few empty parking spots along Hanover Street, which is usually jammed with double-parked delivery trucks and frustrated tourists.
``You know it's dead when that happens,'' said Richard Martins, manager of Mike's Pastry, which often has lines out the door. ``I actually sent employees home early yesterday and today.''
The depressing pace of business stood in stark contrast to rosy predictions from city officials that the convention would produce a flood of business for local bars and restaurants.
Instead, restaurant owners say, it is producing only hefty losses as their beefed-up waitstaffs watch the evening pass in quiet dining rooms.
At noon yesterday, George D'Amelio, owner of 5 North Square restaurant, stood in his immaculate but empty eatery and kicked himself for giving up a Maine vacation this week.
``They hyped everybody up for this and when it's all said and done they're going to come out with what it costs taxpayers (for security),'' D'Amelio said. ``I hope it's going to pick up for the weekend, but you never make back what you lose.''
Well it IS the Democrats after all.
That's okay, those jobs lost were lousy jobs anyhow. I know. John Kerry told me so.
< /sarcasm>
Wow, govenment Democrats grossly exagerating the positive impact that their activities will have on the businesses in the districts that they control, only for the businessmen that believed them to be disappointed. Who'ld a thunk it?
I believe that this falls into the "Water Is Wet" and "Fire Is Hot" categories of news...
Dang, you're good.
I guess it will be another 200 years before Boston hosts another convention.
wah!wah!wah!
remember this next time fat teddy and kerry-baby run for reelection.
Are all the DNC attendees & media people ordering room service, or is it catered or what?
Like the bumper states,
"If you're TIRED of working for a living, vote Democrat!"
Not to mention, the mindset among the libtard elitists like sKerry, Hitlary, etc is: "I got mine, F**K YOU!"
Why, there would be a spike in the business immediately after the witches' sabbath. Imagine the ads: "At last, they are OUT!"
I suggest the business owners complain to their Senators who in this case are, nevermind.
Don't look for any big tips from this crowd, either.
1): There are so many free food events at these things.
2): These are Democrats, they're cheap.
3): And this is personal, you'd think that leaders would encourage people to go out and help out the local businesses. When the Convention was here in San Diego in 1996, there was a lot of hand wringing before the convention about the same thing. But it turned into a huge success because of a lot of factors, but I know the RNC made a concerted effort to encourage people to go into the city and spend money.
These dumb North Enders should quit their crying. They and their brethren on the other side of Interstate 93 are still gonna vote for their precious dems anyway.
"Are all the DNC attendees & media people ordering room service, or is it catered or what?"
The media is only interested in free food...that's a fact.
And the attendees are used to being taken places on a bus and told exactly what to do when they get there. They can't handle placing their own orders...
As sure as the sun will set tonight.
Any chance they'll remember this come Election Day?
Nawwww....
Delegates, and especially the press which outnumbers them, used to gather in bars and restaurants to figure out strategy for the next day and what really happened that day.
These days, there is no strategy to plot because it was all preplanned, so delegates go to their rooms to avoid the security chaos and order room service.
The press goes to their room to watch the cable news shows and have the talking heads tell them what happened that day, so they can file their stories, and they too order room service.
Both conventions ought to be in Vegas. There is more security in any Vegas Casino than in all of Boston, but they have the experience to make it work smoothly. It is also the only town where a convention that large can be held without disrupting normal life. Conventions are their normal life.
So9 So9
As long as they keep electing Democrats, I say let them host more conventions.
So true. They will still vote Dem.
Like the scene in Animal house
"Thank you sir, may I have another!"
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