GOP CONVENTION | Convention a letdown for Cleveland bars, diners

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bar and restaurant owners in downtown Cleveland say the expected boom in business from the Republican National Convention has been a bust.

Many say business is even worse than in normal weeks.

Cleveland media outlets report that downtown nightspots that have stocked up on liquor and stayed open later are now sending staff home early.

Bar and restaurant owners just blocks from the Quicken Loans Arena, where the convention is being held, say increased security and media coverage of the protests have driven people away.

A lot of downtown offices told their employees to take vacation during the convention or to work from home.

Bar owner Morgan Cavanaugh says all he sees walking past his place are a lot of police officers.