South Bend businesses are gearing up for Commencement weekend
SOUTH BEND, Ind – Commencement weekend is here in South Bend, and that means big business for the local economy.
This weekend Notre Dame will be granting over three thousand degrees at their 173rd commencement.
Local businesses including Fiddler’s Hearth said graduation weekend brings in a big share of their yearly business.
“It’ll start on a Thursday and they’ll come in, impromptu, and come for dinner. We have a Sunday brunch, so it’s just full-fledged and nonstop. We have to gear up for it with our cooks and our cooking staff because it’s as big as a Notre Dame Football weekend, if not bigger” said the owner of Fiddler’s Hearth, Terrance Meehan.
Hotels and other venues in the area also see a spike in business for graduation weekend.
Fiddler’s Hearth co-owner said it’s more than a good weekend for their bottom line but it’s also about the connection to the community.
“As a kid growing up we would always get footballs and baseballs from Notre Dame intramural and I used to sell programs, so it’s just in my blood” said Terrance Meehan of Fiddler’s Hearth.