LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News) – Last November, Hope Cafe Owner Matthew Cullipher tried keeping his cafe doors open later than his normal afternoon closing time. He wanted to catch the eyes of Lights on the Lake guests walking around Liverpool during the attraction’s opening week.
“The traffic is insane,” Cullipher said. “The village is full of people.”
Once he looked back at his monthly reports, Cullipher noticed a 20% boost in his cafe’s sales during Lights on the Lake’s opening week.
Hope Cafe isn’t the only small business in the village of Liverpool to welcome more business as Lights on the Lake opens.
Limp Lizard BBQ has been serving customers in Liverpool for nine years. Partner Tina Toth usually notices a 10% jump in the restaurant’s sales on Lights on the Lake’s opening night.
“Opening night is a big deal because it creates a lot of walking traffic through the neighborhood,” Toth said.
Lights on the Lake’s opening week features a walking stroll through Onondaga Lake Park, a dog walk and a “Salute the Troops” night.
Onondaga Lake Park Recreation Supervisor Eric Sopchak believes Liverpool businesses have reason to be excited about this year’s opening week.
“Our walk attendance has grown virtually every single one of the 15 years that we’ve done the walks now,” Sopchak said.
The stroll and dog walk are free to the public with a suggested donation. And veterans and active military can enter with their families for free on “Salute the Troops” night.
