Campus town or ghost town?
Updated: December 28, 2012
CHAMPAIGN -- Campus town usually is more like a ghost town this time of year.
Students are on break and local businesses are struggling to make it. This year is different and a new trend could help.
Businesses start preparing for this early. If you've been on green street, you know that it's usually packed with students.
But this year, there's a different type of crowd.
Some businesses we talked to say people who live off campus are stepping up to support.
They've seen a lot more families then usual and that's making up the difference.
Customers say they're making a conscious effort. Employees say that is making the difference in keeping their lights on or off.
"There are certain places such as the bars that don't get that same business. If you turn around the corner, Clyes is closed. Thanks to the towns folk that's not the case for us," employee Eric Cox said.
Customers also say they've found parking is a lot easier and that's an added bonus to going to campus town.
Businesses are preparing for the thousands students to start to fill the streets in the coming weeks.
Customers are making sure they take full advantage of it until then.
Students are on break and local businesses are struggling to make it. This year is different and a new trend could help.
Businesses start preparing for this early. If you've been on green street, you know that it's usually packed with students.
But this year, there's a different type of crowd.
Some businesses we talked to say people who live off campus are stepping up to support.
They've seen a lot more families then usual and that's making up the difference.
Customers say they're making a conscious effort. Employees say that is making the difference in keeping their lights on or off.
"There are certain places such as the bars that don't get that same business. If you turn around the corner, Clyes is closed. Thanks to the towns folk that's not the case for us," employee Eric Cox said.
Customers also say they've found parking is a lot easier and that's an added bonus to going to campus town.
Businesses are preparing for the thousands students to start to fill the streets in the coming weeks.
Customers are making sure they take full advantage of it until then.
