South Bend restaurants react to Notre Dame resuming in person classes

SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- Local restaurants in South Bend are breathing a sigh of relief after hearing that Notre Dame would resume in person classes on August 10th. Students have not been on campus since the university first decided to suspend in person classes in March.

"Spring break hit and then half of our servers left because they’re students, we love supporting students here, and we found out that they weren’t going to be coming back on St. Patrick’s Day weekend too so it was a little bit of an adjustment," said Kara Copeland, manager of Danny Boy Draft Works.

Business owners say that Monday's orders give them hope that things might be returning to normal sooner rather than later. 

"We’re hopeful that football season comes on and that will hope all the hotels and all the local businesses," said Patrick Mulligan, owner of Mulligan's Bar and Grill. "It’s been a really tough grind."

Although student's returning to campus will be a big boost, unless a football season is played, restaurant owners are encouraging people to support local establishments in order to restart the local economy.

"I think we all have to pull together and bond together to help one another," said Mulligan It’s very important, it’s vital right now"