“Presidential effect” on local economy
Excerpt:
Although the additional economic impact of former President Clinton’s visit to Galesburg Saturday may not have been as great as expected - Knox College commencement is always a big draw - Innkeeper’s Fresh Roasted Coffee, 80 N. Seminary St., may have been the big winner.
Johan Ewalt, one of the owners, called Saturday “outstanding.”
“We had a 55 percent increase in sales over last year (commencement) and we served over 1,000 people,” Ewalt said.
With Friday’s business a little soft, Ewalt said some doubt set in, but Innkeeper’s hit the jackpot Saturday.
“We had a line to the door from 7:30 to 10 a.m.,” he said, “then, from about noon to 4 (p.m.). It was just incredible. It was probably busier in terms of drinks and food than (Knox) homecoming.”
