Memorial Day plus PGA Tour equals big cash for businesses

Berrien County, Michigan -- Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to summer, and in Saint Joseph that means sand, sun, and shopping.

Earlier this week, business owners in downtown Saint Joseph said it looked like a ghost town even with the PGA nearby, but things seemed to be picking up today.

Shoppers hit the streets of Saint Joseph for Memorial Day Weekend, all eager to spend their hard earned cash in downtown businesses.

"We visited so many of the stores, and we're shopping for jewelry, clothes and finding so many things" said shopper Linda Geer.

At Lana's boutique, business was booming. Workers said the store had been swamped all day and expect it to continue well into the summer.

"Memorial Day weekend is really the big kickoff for tourism, shopping, and the beach so it's pretty awesome here so far" said Owner Lana Hawkins.

But the Senior PGA Tournament in nearby Benton Harbor doesn't seem to have the effect owners had hoped for. Hawkins said her business hasn't seen the uptick she expected.

"I don't think there's a huge change in traffic with the PGA going on. Memorial Day Weekend is just a big weekend anyway" said Hawkins.

ABC 57 talked to a few other store owners, and they think people who went to the PGA are staying around the course instead of traveling downtown. But as long as the weather stays good and the tourists keep coming, store owners will stay pretty happy.

 

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