Bob CollinsThe verdict is in from one St. Paul shopowner on the alleged economic benefit of the Republican National Convention: Fail!
Theoretically, Bonnie Andert’s Blink Bonnie Subs should be doing a booming business; it’s located right next to the Xcel Energy Center, where the convention is being held. Nobody can see her business because of the big CNN bus parked in the way…
And even if you knew it was there, the security barriers require a person to walk one block west…
… cross the street, and then one block east.
Few are bothering to do it this week. Andert had hoped the week would help her business get out of debt, but it’s only getting worse.
Few customers are even walking half a block.Today at noon, Cosetta’s — one of the most popular lunch-time spots in the city — sent people to the street trying to lure over-tanned CNN celebs (and anyone else with cash) to come in.
Other than the Eagle St. Grille, which cashed in with the CNN location, at least one business has benefited. A medical supply business on the block rented its space out for the week. The combination oil painting – caramel corn – goofy Republican hat shop that went for the deal does not appear to be doing well.
The convention was sold to St. Paulites as a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Some businesses are hoping that’s true.
