How Did Sunday's Bike Race Affect Downtown Business?

Knowing Benicia's downtown streets would be blocked off  Sunday to accommodate the , some merchants looked forward to the event while others dreaded what it would do for business.

In hindsight, Tom Hamilton of acknowledged that the event slowed business for most First Street merchants. “I tend to think the reason it decreased business on First Street was simply that the streets were blocked," he said. “People don't come downtown if the streets are blocked.”

“Business was flat... however, I would support it completely and fully next year,” Hamilton continued. “You've got to realize how many people it's bringing to our town who would normally not stop here, eat here, drink here or visit here. It's bringing the racers, their family members and their friends.”

also saw a major decrease in business. Sales associates said it was "dead" in the store and agreed that the street blockage was a deterrent for Sunday shoppers.

Restaurants seemed to fare a bit better. Christine Meade, co-owner of the , was worried that the street blockage would hinder business and operations. Fortunately, the cafe experienced a slight increase over the usual Sunday business. “I know it hurt businesses down the street,” said Jeff, a waiter at the cafe on the corner of First and G streets. “Because of where we are, walking distance to the event, I guess it didn't really hurt us too much.”

The cafe's patrons were mostly out-of-town folks instead of the customary Sunday church groups. “Everybody seemed to be happy, so it was a good day,” Jeff said.