Memorial Cup brings boost in business to Saginaw

SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – Week two of the Memorial Cup is in full swing and businesses are feeling the impact.

“It’s just been wonderful to see that this is gonna impact the economy of Saginaw and that’s what it’s doing for my truck,” Mr. Patito Man Food Truck owner Larry Rodarte said.

The event is helping to bring in $25 million into the mid-Michigan economy and especially to its Food Truck Alley in downtown Saginaw.

“It’s been busy enough that I haven’t been able to do the paperwork, but I know it’s very good,” Sugar High Bakery co-owner Dawn Silva said.

“We’ve been busy from Friday up until today,” Sophia Walker, owner of MH&D Catering said.

“We’re all selling out. We’ve sold out the last three days,” added Rodarte.

Officials estimate that the 11-day event has attracted 17,000 visitors from across the world, and that influx has been beneficial. Some vendors said they have seen their business double.

“It’s really nice to be able to have these ten days where we can really bring in the money and benefit our whole season,” said Rodarte.

“To be able to bring this to people that are not from Saginaw means a lot. Us being a very small business, being able to participate in something this big, that’s never been in Saginaw, means a lot,” Walker said.

The increase in business also means an increase in business for businesses suppliers.

“We’ve had to make more because we’ve sold out the day before. We think we’re gonna make enough and we never make enough,” said Rodarte.

All-in-all, business owners are optimistic that the rest of the week will continue to be successful.

“We’ve added some hours to it to accommodate the guests,” said Paul Barrera, owner of Jake’s Old City Grill. “We are all looking forward to a great weekend coming up. Particularly from Wednesday or when the Spirit win and it gets even more better,” he added.

Saginaw is the fourth American city to host the Memorial Cup in its 104-year history. It was previously hosted in Portland, Seattle, and Spokane, Washington.

Subscribe to the TV5 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every day.

Copyright 2024 WNEM. All rights reserved.