Pasadena Eateries, Stores Score Big Ahead Of Busy Rose Bowl Weekend
PASADENA (CBS) — Who would have ever thought the city of Pasadena would be thankful for so many Ducks and Badgers?
KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports the restaurant business along Colorado Boulevard has apparently been a big hit ahead of this year's Rose Bowl game and parade.
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"We've noticed the increase starting the day after Christmas," said James Reynolds, manager of The Pita Jungle on Colorado.
Reynolds estimated his store has seen an increase of anywhere between 25 to 30 percent in sales in recent days.
The store — which specializes in Mediterranean with "a little bit of American fusion twist on it" — is just one of the businesses benefiting from larger crowds ahead of next week's game between the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Sidewalks up and down the boulevard have been filled with out-of-town visitors who are just happy for something a little different.
"From where I'm from, you have about a block of shopping and here there's like 25, so there's a little bit more variety," said one Oregon fan.
With fewer stores around town boarded up and expectations running high, David Harbaugh is hoping Crown City Sports can ride the city's momentum into 2012.
"It's Christmas in Pasadena here for us, Rose Bowl Christmas if you will," said Harbaugh. "We have people that come in here and actually buy product that aren't even going to the game or anything."
