Business News

Wrestling tournament helps Billings businesses

Posted: Feb 13, 2012 7:33 AM by David Jay
Updated: Feb 13, 2012 7:33 AM

BILLINGS- Businesses in Billings saw more customers over the weekend thanks to the All-Class State Wrestling Tournament.

Clocktower Inn owner Steve Wahrlich says business was up about 40% to 50% compared to last year without the tournament. Wahrlich adds that retail, food and beverage, oil and gas and hotels saw the most impact from the 1,500 extra people in town.

"It's felt in fast food restaurants on the west end, as much as it's felt at Applebee's and Subway across from Metra," Wahrlich said. "To Stella's down to Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Johnny Carino's, all of those, I guarantee you it was impacted. This tournament impacted all of those facilities, as well as the mall."

Applebee's in the Billings Heights also saw more customers this past weekend.

"The wrestling, especially since you get the entire state here with all the classes, it's a given that you're going to be busy," said Jamie Eldridge, GM of Applebee's in the Heights. "And it's a lot of fun actually."

Wahrlich says the Tourism Business Improvement District gave MetraPark $10,000 to help cover tournament expenses.

Topics: MetraPark, Rimrock Auto Arena, Applebee's, Clocktower Inn