Artsfest makes impact on downtown business

The annual Artsfest brings tens of thousands of people to historic Walnut Street each year on the first weekend of May. The street closes down for the two-day event, open only to foot traffic, affecting numerous businesses located there.

Depending on the individual business owner, this is either a boost to business or an ordeal to be dealt with.

For Ebbet's Field owner Nick Russo, Artsfest is huge and brings in almost more business than he would like.

"We will do a week's worth of business in those two days," Russo said. "It's something I will never get good at planning for, because of the growth of the event."

Russo said he "trims the menu" and puts away the good dishes and glassware, switching to disposables, due to the high volume of hungry Artsfest patrons that crowd into his establishment.

Ebbet's Field is also a popular spot for the visiting artists during the event. Russo comes in early and opens doors to provide complimentary coffee and access to restroom facilities.

Overall, Russo believes the impact of the event on his business is minimal. "I am glad to see it come," he said. "In six years the damage here has been minimal; there have been no problems or rowdiness whatsoever."

Russo does spend a little bit more on labor costs during Artsfest, putting as many employees on the clock as he can.

"The only problem I see is with people walking off-premise with alcohol," Russo said. "The police occasionally come in and ask me to keep them inside."

But for other businesses, the event can be more of a chore than a boon. At Bailey & Beck, a business that offers floral and high-end gift items, heavy foot traffic and the lack of vehicle access isn't necessarily a benefit.

"It works both ways," co-owner Don Beck said of Artsfest. "Negatively, it af