One of the aims of Stephenville Come Home Year was to help boost the economy for members of the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce.
According to some businesspeople in the town, the aim has been not only met, but exceeded.
Roseann White, manager of Holiday Inn Stephenville, said business has definitely been busier during Come Home Year.
"It was great to see some familiar faces returning back home and we were pleased to do a Newfoundland kitchen party during the Newfoundland Day, which featured Screech-ins," she said.
White said occupancy and restaurant business has been very busy during Come Home Year.
Danny Rosselet, owner-operator of Danny's Bake Shop, said over the past two to three weeks, his business has doubled.
"I'm actually sick of making Napoleons," he said.
A Napoleon is a layered crispy puff pastry lined with a cream filling that the local bakery has become well-known for making, and are highly sought after when visitors come to town.
"We actually can't keep up with the demand," he said. "We're working seven days a week and 14 hours a day. It's crazy. It's been mad and while we appreciate the business the sad part is that neither I nor my wife could join in the celebrations because we are basically living in the bakery."
However, he noted that a couple of people asked to see him in the bakery when they dropped by and that was good.
Noel Estoppey, co-owner-operator of Domino Pizza House, said business has been fantastic since the start of Come Home Year, and he wishes it was like this every summer.
"We've been lined up to the street almost every hour and at times have been running out of different items as it's difficult to keep up with things like fresh produce. Pizzas have been going out the door five at a time and sub-sandwiches 10 at a time. I'm sure Poppa is up above smiling," Estoppey said of his father, the late Claude Estoppey, who started the business in the 1960s.
Estoppey said when staff tell customers they are busy and that it will take 40 minutes to an hour to get their pizza, they say 'no problem' as they've waited 15 - probably 20 or 30 years - so waiting another hour is easy.
"For them our product is a taste of home, something they grew up with and something they really enjoy when they come to visit," he said.
"It's really great to see everyone home and to see the familiar faces again."
Paula Cornec, owner-operator of Beavercraft, said her business has been really busy as well, with everything from souvenirs, gifts and t-shirts all going out the door. She said they've been busy overall.
"We we're ready for it and brought in extra merchandise anticipating this influx," she said. "However, we'll need to replenish our stock after this. We have people in the store who are meeting other people they haven't seen for a long time. It's great, everybody's on a real high."
Cornec said she didn't hear a negative thing from those home visiting and the comments were that the events were really well organized.
She said the only problem that was encountered was that some tourists without an association to the town couldn't find a place to stay.
Marion MacDonald, manager of Hometown Furniture, said the Come Home Year celebrations, not only in Stephenville, but also in Bay St. George South and Codroy, have resulted in them being really busy.
"Everything from refrigerators, freezers, dinette sets to bedding and especially sofa beds have been going out the door. People are buying for their parents and the bedding is for those people who have been coming home," she said.
MacDonald said Come Home Year events has been excellent for the economy and it's really good for the business community.
Good times mean good business during Stephenville Come Home Year
One of the aims of Stephenville Come Home Year was to help boost the economy for members of the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce. According to some businesspeople in the town, the aim has been not only met, but exceeded. Roseann White, manager of Holiday Inn Stephenville, said business has definitely been busier during Come Home Year. "It was great to see some familiar faces returning back home and we were pleased to do a Newfoundland kitchen party during the Newfoundland Day, which featured Screech-ins," she said.
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