Mock Con boosts local businesses

Owners of downtown businesses like A Joyful Spirit Cafe say last weekend's Mock Convention helped business. (ALISHA LAVENTURE / Rockbridge Report)

By JOEL POELHUIS

Washington and Lee University's Mock Convention last weekend drew speakers from around the country, but it also drew people to local businesses. 

Almost every room at the Hampton Inn was booked for the weekend, said George Moore, the inn's general manager.

"January's generally a slow month," Moore said. "It comes at a good time."

The restaurant at the Sheridan Livery Inn was busy Friday night, but by Saturday, the crowds had thinned, owner Meredith Benincasa said.  The inn filled all of its rooms for both nights.

Several downtown businesses said the biggest crowds came Friday morning in conjunction with the convention's parade. Lexington Coffee Shop owner Brian Butterfield said that as the parade passed on Washington Street there was a line out the door of people looking for a cup of coffee to beat the frigid conditions. 

Megan Dransfield, an employee of A Joyful Spirit Cafe, said the lunch rush on Friday was especially busy. Arby's also saw a "significant increase" in business that night, making about $500 more in sales, said Jared Law, the shift manager.

According to a 2004 report on Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista, the local tourist industry employs more than 1,200 people. Annually, tourism-related spending brings in $1.2 million to the local government, according to Lexington and the Rockbridge Area Tourism Development. Hotels and motels alone accounted for 6.5 percent of sales in the area. 

Benincasa said the heaviest tourist traffic at the Sheridan Livery occurs during both Virginia Military Institute's and W&L's Parents' Weekends in the fall and during the Arabian Horse Association's Region 15 Championship in July. VMI's graduation also presents an opportunity for catering, Benincasa said, but W&L has been increasingly using its own in-house catering service.

Sammy Moore, executive director of the Rockbridge County Chamber of Commerce, said the next boost for local businesses and hotels will likely come over President's Day weekend in mid-February. 

The local tourist industry employs more than 1,200 people.

Each year, tourism-related spending brings in $1.2 million to the local government.

Hotels and motels accounted for 6.5 percent of sales in 2004.

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