Chicago Businesses Gear Up For NFL Draft
(CBS) -- Chi-town will be turning into Draft Town later this week.
In Grant Park, crews busily build the NFL fan experience. There is still a lot of work to be done, but they are working quickly and all that means money for the city.
CBS 2's Jim Williams reports this is going to be a post card for the city with all the media coverage from here and will have a ripple effect for Chicago businesses.
The jobs are big and small: the massive Draft Town built from scratch in Grant Park along fresh coats of paint at Roosevelt University and cases of equipment moving into the Auditorium Theatre that will transform the 125-year-old concert hall into a showcase of pro football's future stars.
In the shadow of the NFL extravaganza, businesses will have more customers this week.
"We're hoping for a big crowd and lots of happy fans," said Jacquelyn Guida, whose family owns Fontano's Subs.
Fontano's is increasing employee hours and buying more food.
Down the street, the Bye Bye Chicago souvenir store is fully stocked. The big seller? Al Capone.
For fans with refined tastes, Sam Khan's business Gallerique connects people who want fine art with those who sell it. Who might his target audience be this week?
"The team execs and their families that would be the profile of the customers we're looking for," Khan said.
No Chicago hotel has a better location than the Congress Plaza this week, which is sold out for the NFL Draft.
"All of the employees are excited to have this event here, to be associated with it, but it's not just the hotel, Jim, look at the city. What a wonderful showplace for the city," said Peter Andjelovich.
The draft itself starts Thursday. The city says the full economic impact of the draft won't be known until it's over.
