Local businesses said homecoming brings in more cash
This video is no longer available.
JACKSON, Tenn. — Homecoming wasn’t just a favorite time for Lane graduates. Business owners across the city said it meant a boom in business for weeks. The owner of Party Headquarters on Old Hickory Boulevard said Lane Homecoming is a favorite time of the year. “We’ll have someone that’ll come in three or four weeks ahead of time. Most come in a week or a week and a half ahead of time,” said Russel Rast. He said Lane Homecoming brings in more business than Halloween. “Halloween is not for us what it used to be. We’re picking up a lot from Lane Homecoming, which they’ve done for years now,” said Rast. He said he sold a lot of merchandise for the parade floats, but the after parties bring in customers from all over. “We’ve had some from Georgia. We’ve had some from Kentucky. I think the furthest we’ve had is North Carolina,” said Rast. He said that during the Lane College Homecoming Week he saw about a 25 percent to 30 percent increase in profit. He was not the only one. Right down North Highland, the Ramada said Lane Homecoming is like an early Christmas. “We’re just about at maximum capacity. I think we have two rooms available right now,” said Cesar Quispe. He’s a junior at Lane and works the front desk. He said homecoming is good for business and for him personally. “It’s nice since I’m going there now and hearing stories of the past. It’s great, and having them come to our business makes it better for me,” said Quispe. Both said they’re looking forward to next year’s homecoming.
