Rochester, N.Y. – Downtown businesses close to the Jazz Festival say this is their favorite time of the year.
It’s their close proximity that gives businesses owners like David Bantle of Stromboli Express on East Avenue an advantage.
"It is my busiest week of the year," Bantle said.
Bantle says his restaurant stays open later to cater to the crowds.
"They close down East Avenue three or four of the days. It’s thousands of people walking by and it's great exposure for the restaurant," he said.
Temple Bar and Grille, also on East Avenue has been gearing up for Friday evening.
"We expect to do better numbers and be pretty busy," said Marianne Halton.
Shops may make double what they make in a typical night.
Businesses say it's not about drawing business just for the week.
"This is a high period of the year, between the East End Festival and the Jazz Festival we have a lot more people coming in and out of the East End and they typically come back if they like what they see," said Halton.
The Jazz Festival runs June 10-18.
