INDIANAPOLIS — Businesses working to bounce back from the pandemic are getting a big boost this weekend in downtown Indianapolis.
Basketball fans from across the country have descended on the Circle City, filling up bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops.
It's a welcome sight for people like Terry Anthony, owner of The Block Bistro & Grill.
"With the pandemic and the next wave, it has been hard. There have been ups and downs. When you get the chance to see this, all the hard work you've been through, it makes sense. It fills you with pride," Anthony said.
Like a lot of service industry work, getting people in the door hasn't been the Block Bistro's only issue.
In what's been called the Great Resignation, employees have voluntarily left their jobs to seek better opportunities since the beginning of 2021. The service industry has been among one of the hardest hit during the Great Resignation.
"Staffing is a challenge for all of us. It's still an issue but that's why you see the owner, ringing up beers and running tables. You do whatever you have to do," Anthony said.
The first round and day of play for the NCAA Tournament was intertwined with St. Patrick's Day. The double whammy of an economic impact is not lost on Sarah Murray and Chris Utter. They offer pedicabs to locals and visitors.
"I just think it's really amazing to provide services to people who may have not heard of this or seen it before," Utter said.
"I love riding. I love talking to people. I love getting paid to exercise and just being out in Indy," Murray said.
The couple of seven years said the pandemic was tough on the pedicab industry because hardly anyone was out. As expected, when businesses started to reopen and increase their capacity back to 100%, Murray and Utter saw a noticeable increase in rides.
"It was amazing. It was like nothing ever happened before," Utter said. They say it has only gotten better since then.
Visit Indy estimates there will be a $25-30 million impact on the local economy because of all the sporting events over the last three weeks.
-
Man allegedly caught twice on the same day stealing catalytic converters
A man was caught red-handed stealing catalytic converters from cars in an east Indianapolis lot, and police say he came back for more on the same day.
Carmel leaders planning $1.5 million transformation to Rangeline Road
Carmel is investing $1.5 million to redesign what they call a problematic and underutilized bike lane along Rangeline Road after pedestrian safety concerns.
100 days until the Indy 500: A chat with INDYCAR and IMS President
INDYCAR and IMS President Doug Boles joined WRTV in the studio on Friday to talk about the significance of this day and whether he thinks the 110th running will be a sellout.
IMPD: Man charged with dealing drugs that led to fatal overdose
An Indianapolis man is facing charges after police say he sold drugs that killed someone last September.
