[SUMMERSIDE, PE] - Five days of motorcycle mania can lead to a significant financial impact for businesses and employees, depending on what sort of business you run, some local shops say.
Final registration numbers are not yet known, but Atlanticade drew thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts into the western capital over a busy Canada Day weekend.
For establishments like the Deckhouse Pub at Spinnakers Landing, the economic rewards were well worth it.
"For the last few years Canada Day hasn't been as busy as when I first started down here, but this is the first time I saw a lot of action," said pub owner Barb Hunter. "It was great to see all the buzz and commotion. It was very good for us, with the exception of the power going out Saturday at dinner time."
While restaurants may have seen increased sales of food and alcohol, other stores carrying particular products weren't always a hit with the biker crowd.
Charlene Schmidt, who owns MaiYa Pearls on the waterfront, said jewelry didn't seem to be the motorcyclists' style.
Some vendors were able to capitalize on Atlanticade by offering official merchandise from the event.
Beyond the Rainbow employee Molly Kenny said the clothing store sold several t-shirts bearing the event's logo.
"Saturday was really busy – there was a lot of bikers in. We sold a lot of the Atlanticade t-shirts," she said. "There probably could've been more activities throughout the town instead of one designated area (Credit Union Place)... but the weather was good, and that helped a lot."
While restaurant owners like Hunter recorded good sales to help their bottom line, many of their employees were also able to do the same.
This was Carter Wood's second Canada Day serving at the Deckhouse, and he said the event put more money in his pocket at the end of the weekend.
"I found it much busier (than last year)," he said. "Atlanticade – it was absolutely ridiculous. Sales were higher, people were having some drinks, coming in a big party and getting appetizers.
"Saturday I made $160 in tips and I was heavy serving for four-and-a-half hours."
Summerside will host Atlanticade for the second time in 2013.
