NORWICH – The population in the City of Norwich will more than double this weekend as thousands of basketball fans visit for the 19th annual YMCA Gus Macker three-on-three basketball tournament.
And with that, city merchants are preparing for a welcomed boom in the local economy.
The second weekend in July, dubbed by locals as “Gus Macker weekend,” marks one of the largest event weekends in Chenango County, drawing thousands of visitors to spend money at local merchants including restaurants, gift shops, pubs and overnight accommodations.
“It’s one of the biggest weekends of the year in terms of local economic impact. It draws in nearly 11,000 visitors over the course of the weekend,” said Audrey Robinson, Commerce Chenango Director of Communications and Tourism. “When we’re able to get that many people in one place, they are going to spend money and it’s going to have an impact.”
In fact, Gus Macker has such a large economic impact that it’s comparable to wider known local events, such as the annual summertime Chenango Blues Festival or the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival in the fall, Robinson added.
“A lot of people see the value of doing this great community activity every year. It’s been such a great success and it’s still going strong,” she said.
For small-time vendors like Susan Wood, owner of Thymely Treasures gift shop in downtown Norwich, Gus Macker weekend is a make-or-break time of year. Wood relies heavily on the influx of business from friends and family of tournament participants who are in town to cheer on their team.
“My sales this weekend are usually triple what they are on a normal weekend,” said Wood, also mentioning Colorscape Chenango and the Pumpkin Festival as other downtown events that drive in business. “These events are vital. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be able to stay open.”
Macker weekend carries a little extra significance for Wood, who opened her business on Gus Macker weekend in 2010. “I try to offer discounts to people who come in,” she said, “but it’s tough being a small business.”
Wood is hoping to broaden her opportunities by extending business hours over the weekend and opening her doors on Sunday – something she doesn’t usually do. “As long as people are coming in, I’ll stay open,” she said.
Down the road from Thymely Treasures, John D'Abbraccio, owner of D'Abbraccio’s Pizza, is also getting ready for the busy weekend. Business at D'Abbraccio’s Pizza doubles, he said, thanks in part to customers who buy a slice or two from a sales tent set up near the basketball hoops, and from those who stay and eat inside the restaurant.
“It can get pretty crazy here, but it brings in a lot of business,” D'Abbraccio said. “It’s good to see all the kids come in with their families. It’s a great event that brings a lot of excitement to the community.”
In terms of travelers who visit Norwich for the weekend, few local businesses benefit more than hotels, motels, inns and bed and breakfasts. Gus Macker weekend marks one of the few weekends of the year when the Howard Johnson Hotel, located in the heart of the City of Norwich, books every room.
“We are the host hotel for Gus Macker,” said Howard Johnson General Manager Dana Meyer. “So we take in a lot of patrons who are out of county and out of state.”
Meyer estimates the number of guests nears 300, assuming all beds in the hotel’s 85 rooms are filled. The hotel also puts up Gus Macker coaches and out-of-area volunteers, she said. “I try to keep rates affordable for the weekend because we want to encourage shopping local ... This is a great event for the community that brings everyone outside for a few days. It’s something that really helps bring people together.”
Said Robinson, “Each year, the YMCA does such a great job with this event ... Hopefully people continue to volunteer to see it continue through the years because it really is a great, family-fun activity.”