Parents Weekend rakes in revenue

One weekend every October, Harrisonburg swells in size to accommodate the vast number of parents who visit their children at JMU. Their coming provides a surge in the local economy and for the hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Senior Nick Lombardi, who works at Spanky's restaurant, said he "would make money hand over fist" during Parents Weekend. The restaurant made nearly double for a normal weekend, according to manager Kim Liskey.

The Saturday of Parents Weekend is the busiest day of the year for Outback Steakhouse, according to manager Tim Fogarty. Fogarty said it is busier than both graduation and Homecoming. In fact, Fogarty said, "Saturday was significantly more busy" than Parents Weekends of the past. According to Fogarty, Outback did 40 percent better than it does on an average weekend throughout the rest of the year.

Parents weekend is the most profitable weekend for the campus bookstore, according to manager John Rheault. The bookstore makes nearly 50 percent more than other weekends, he said. The bookstore sold more computers this Parents Weekend than it ever had before, Rheault said.