Flaming Gorge Days helped GR business

During the Flaming Gorge Days festivities, local businesses noticed a boost in the amount of customers they had.

With a large amount of the community out enjoying the celebrations, the local restaurants had a good opportunity for business.

Staci Ann’s Cafe took advantage of the night life of Flaming Gorge Days by staying open 24 hours both Friday and Saturday. They also did a full menu.

“We had quite a few people in during our late hours,” owner Staci Martin said. “People were very excited and happy to have us available.”

Grace Yeager, owner of A Taste of Grace experienced her first Flaming Gorge Days with her restaurant.

“We did see an increase,” Yeager said of the amount of customers A Taste of Grace had.

Several of the parade attendees probably received coupons for Ranch Burgers at Arctic Circle, making Flaming Gorge Days one of the busiest times of the year for the restaurant. The manager of Arctic Circle Robert Berg was very pleased with the business he received during Flaming Gorge Days.

“We did good,” Berg said. “ It was better than the last two years.”

With Chill Monkey being located in Evers Park, they had great business during the Flaming Gorge Days weekend.

“I am very grateful that Chill Monkey was a popular food vendor this year,” owner Liliana Villegas said. They had a constant line of customers on Saturday.

However, location may be key in the amount of business received for the local businesses.

Perri Rubeck, owner of the Fish Bowl said he chooses to not open on Saturday of Flaming Gorge Days.

“I like the community involvement,” he said, but he has found that “there are too many other options for people.” The Fish Bowl may just be too far from the action.

The URA/Main Street Agency sold their cheese steaks at Festival in the Park to earn money for their Façade Renovation Matching Grant Fund.

“Businesses within the Main Street District can apply for a matching grant if they are planning to renovate their façade. It’s a 50/50 match, and we can provide up to $3,000, depending on fund availability,” Main Street Agency Administrator Jennie Melvin said.

Main Street’s total sales for the cheese steaks was $2,883.