Ready . . . set . . . go!

News

by Max Marbut

Staff Writer

Everyone from the Sports Complex to the Landing was in high gear Thursday preparing Downtown to host thousands of football fans who will be here for Saturday’s Florida-Georgia game.

All agreed and more than one person stated, “It’s our annual Super Bowl.”

Big crowds mean bigger business so restaurants, clubs and retail stores were checking in extra supplies in order to meet the pending demand. Businesses look forward to the event that each year provides a huge boost to their bottom lines.

Sports Mania has been stocking more Gators and Bulldogs team merchandise every day this week. The location at the Landing wasn’t open this time last year, so this will be the local sports gear chain’s first Florida-Georgia experience Downtown.

“We know it’s going to be a lot of hours, but we’re sure it will be worth it,” said Mike “Droop” Wilt, store manager. “It’s going to be good exposure for our company and I think we could sell a couple of months worth of merchandise.”

Orange Tree Hot Dogs in the Landing’s food court is also preparing for longer hours. They kicked off the weekend Thursday night with a hot dog eating contest and presented a pair of tickets to the game to the winner.

“This is our first Florida-Georgia game here, so we’re excited,” said Manager Amy Emling. “We’re setting up a booth downstairs and we’re expecting to do three times the business we’d usually do on a Friday and Saturday.”

Kris Kiger, owner of Northstar Substation on East Bay Street, opened the shop last year a few days before the game. He said it was a valuable learning experience.

“We ran out of food Saturday night. I’m making sure we don’t do that again, so we’re stocked to the brim with beer and pizza,” said Kiger.

The Northbank waterfront was also getting busy Thursday. By 8 a.m. boats were already rafting in front of the Landing. Capt. Jim Suber, the City’s dockmaster, said registration for slips at the City Marina and spaces on the Northbank created a much longer waiting list than usual.

“We could have 180 boats at the marina and another 100 at the Landing. If all of them show up this will be a record-breaking year,” he predicted.

Even businesses you might not think of as benefiting from the crowds of football fans are gearing up for more activity. Take parking, for example.

Mark Rimmer, president of Parking 411, who owns or manages six urban garages and surface lots said, “This is always our biggest and busiest weekend of the year, just like it is for everybody Downtown.”