Move-in week brings economic boom to downtown South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It's no secret that move-in week has a large economic impact on South Bend. 

Six colleges and universities bring 25,000 students and their families to one place. Parents in hotels, students stock apartments, and families finishing the day with dinner.

Ambassadors from Downtown South Bend help newcomers with directions and assist them in finding hidden gems.  

While some could view the week as chaotic, business owners look forward to the extra revenue and the energy students and parents bring. As downtown South Bend buzzed with new faces over the past week, visitors took part in the city's expansive food and cultural scene. 

Executive director of Downtown South Bend, Willow Weatherall, hopes some of these new faces will become permanent over the next several years.

"Move-in weekend is a great time to sort of introduce new students and it's a restart for returning students," Weatherall says. "Between the six colleges and universities in our area we have about 25,000 students that return each fall. So, it's a huge opportunity to introduce students to what we hope will become their new favorite coffee spot, or study area or place to experience entertainment and socialize with their friends."