Business is booming downtown when events return

The convention center is hosting a national cheer contest and the Bankers Life Fieldhouse is hosting Disney on Ice.

INDIANAPOLIS – Downtown Indy tourism industry suffered a blow in 2020, injuring local restaurants and shops. However, downtown is seeing a boom in business this weekend as major events return.

The convention center is hosting a national cheer contest and the Bankers Life Fieldhouse is hosting Disney on Ice. Both events take extra security and welcome hundreds to the city center.

“With social distancing it was very difficult to get around, but I think they prepared a lot of things for downtown. I feel pretty safe when I get out, ”said Katie Millikin, who came from Franklin to see Disney on Ice.

“Disney on Ice” returned after a seven and a half month hiatus.

It’s the first big show since the pandemic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. You have set up special “pod seats” for each group.

Over at the convention center, thousands of families traveled to Indy for JAMfest, a mega cheering competition.

“It was good. We all had masks on and everything was separate,” said Kylee Murphy, one of the competitors.

This was a normal downtown weekend a year ago, but business owners say they haven’t seen so many people in months.

“We’ve completely stopped reservations and people are still coming in to get on the waiting list. They come over and ask how long the wait is and I ask, “Oh, an hour and 15 or an hour and 30.” They say, “Okay, write down our names,” said Dominique Paige, manager at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

At some point we saw people who lined up in front of the door to get in. The restaurant carefully followed COVID-19 guidelines but was excited for business.

Other nearby restaurants like The District Tap and Taxman Brewery said business is growing too.

Many hope that this is a sign that the city is waking up.

In March, Indianapolis will host the entire NCAA tournament, with most of it taking place downtown.