'Cavalia' Expected to Be a Boon for Local Business

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” - Winston Churchill

In St. Louis Park, 42 special horses are demonstrating how good they are for a lot of people.

Besides approximately 45,000 people expected to attend between now and Oct. 16, several local merchants should feel good about a likely uptick in business.

"Cavalia" is a Canadian-based equestrian show that emphasizes the interaction between horses and people through a wide array of artistic displays.

All of this will take place at the gigantic complex of huge white tents now assembled just west of the intersection of Highway 100 and I-394. The complex takes up 16 acres, 10 of which are in St. Louis Park while the remaining six are in Golden Valley.

Just west of the show site are dozens upon dozens of retailers, some immediately adjacent to the site and others located in .

How are they feeling about the forthcoming increase in local traffic?

“We are anticipating a real increase in our business and are staffing up for that,” said Megan Fortin, manager at , a new Italian-style restaurant at West End. “Ours is the first visible restaurant one sees if coming from the horse show location to the West End shops, so we believe that will be a big factor in attracting customers.

“We are thinking that between 5 and 7 p.m. on weekdays we will be very busy because the shows start at 8 o’clock.”

Delaney Johnson, one of the managers at , said they view "Cavalia" as being “really great.”

“We expect an increase in our business and right now are making sure we have staff to serve the increase in customers,” Johnson said.

Vivian King, a spokeswoman for , said the store has already experienced an increase in business, in the form of those employed by Cavalia.

“These are the people who are setting up the tents and doing other tasks to get ready for the show’s start,” King said.

She said these people are in town for several weeks and need groceries just like permanent residents of the area.

“We are pleased with what it has meant for our business in St. Louis Park and, as always, are delighted to support efforts for local events which benefit people and families,” King said.