Visitors give a boost to local businesses

People asking directions to the church have also made purchases.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CAMPBELL -- The thousands of people flocking to St. Joseph the Provider Church aren't just crowding the streets, they're helping fill the coffers at local businesses.
"We've seen a significant increase in business, at least 20 [percent] or 25 percent," said George Capezello, owner of Jay's Famous Hot Dogs, 745 McCartney Road.
Most of the business is from drive-through customers ordering hot dogs on their way to the church. "You hear them talking about where they are going as they come through," Capezello said.
The boost in sales started the end of last week.
Employee called back
At Our Place Restaurant & amp; Lounge, 725 McCartney Road, evening business has picked up enough that owner Maria Tsarnas was able to call back one laid-off employee.
"A lot of people have been stopping in and asking directions," Tsarnas said. "Maybe we'll put Campbell on the map for something good."
Cheryl Dunlap, manager of Dairy Queen, 817 McCartney Road, has been giving a lot of directions to the church.
"I try to catch their license plates to see where they come from," Dunlap said. "I've seen a lot from Pennsylvania and one from Ashtabula County."
As soon as it starts to get dark, the number of people stopping in to ask for directions grows. Dunlap was unable to estimate how much sales at Dairy Queen have grown, but "we've definitely seen an increase," she said.
The influx of visitors has also prompted "impulse buying" at Gaetano's, a convenience store that sells hot pizza and wings at 773 McCartney Road.
Quite a few people stop in the late afternoon and evening to ask directions, said James Tsikouris, owner. Sales haven't soared as a result, he said, but some of the people who stop for directions buy something.
Summer's the reason?
Business is also brisk at McDonald's and Subway, but managers at those establishments were hesitant to attribute the steady flow of customers to visitors in Campbell to see the statues of the Blessed Virgin and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
"We're always busy," said Rene Boyd, manager of Subway, 669 McCartney Road.
"I think our sales are up just because it's summer. They always pick up then," said Heather Stirbens, a manager at McDonald's.
However, Stirbens said, many customers who visit her restaurant are eager to tell her about their visits to the church.
"I haven't seen it yet," she said. "I've been too busy and haven't had a chance."
kubik@vindy.com