MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Ore to Shore is one of many event’s that go on during Marquette summers, and the impact is huge.
This cycling event that has a spot for everyone brought in almost 3000 people this year, making it a busy weekend for the local businesses and hotels across Marquette.
These hundreds of bikers must have been starved after their races, because Marquette restaurants were packed with racers hungry for some grub. when called Third Street Bagel said that there were so many people in town, the wait for a just a bagel was about 45 minutes.
Waiting times all across Marquette were effected by this race. Dine-in restaurants were filled with people just trying to get a table somewhere, while staff was trying their best to give quick and quality service.
“We were extremely busy,” said Caitlin Johnson the General Manager at Third Coast Pizza. “We were getting calls from people trying to get in because they were waiting at another restaurant, or whatever it might be, because the whole town was busy.”
Hotels were also overwhelmed by people, one hotel commented saying reservations starting to fill in early summer, and filled up almost completely by the third week of.
Some sponsoring hotels, like the Staybridge, responded to the race by giving a small discount to guest who participated in Ore to Shore and also making welcome bags for when they arrived.
“So it adds to the volume, that’s here,” says Dan Nelson, the Manager of Holiday Inn Express and Suites Marquette. “But the city is well equipped and very familiar with handling our influx of vacationers and tourist.”
After their day of biking, and night of rest, people hit the town for what was left of their weekend. Small Marquette shops were filled with people trying to get a little piece of Marquette to bring back home with them.
Lines for some familiar stores were long, and business was booming for the entirety of the Ore to Shore weekend.
“It’s always really good to see business picking up,” says Sabrina Kelly, the Manager at Chickadees. “The owners are just absolutely wonderful people, their locals, so it’s good to see their business thriving, and these events bringing in people to see the items in the store.”
By the end of the weekend most of the bikers and their families are gone, but large events like Ore to Shore have a long-lasting impact on local businesses.
