Community benefits from Family Weekend sales
Miami University's annual Family Weekend brings in more than just herds of parents reliving their glory days on a college campus-it also brings with it a slew of extra business for many local shops.
For many students, bringing their parents to their favorite bars and restaurants is one of the best parts of the weekend.
According to senior bartender Alison LaDouceur, Brick Street (along with many of the other popular bars) will run its usual weekend specials, knowing the influx of parents will increase business substantially.
"I always notice the bars are way more crowded during parents' weekends," LaDouceur said. "Mostly because parents are so willing to buy drinks for their kids and even underage students can drink as long as they are accompanied by their parents."
Most bars ask that both the student and their parent give both of their ID's together at the door of the bar before entering. They are then marked with special X's to indicate that they are with a parent, even though they are underage.
"It's so fun to see all of the drunk moms and dads reliving their college days," Junior Andrew Fockler said. "Even though my parents are here, family weekends are still one of the most fun weekends of the year."
Local shop owners also look forward to the arrival of students' families and the influx of business they bring.
According to Jenny Ordway, owner of local boutique Juniper, she notices extra business whenever students' families are in town.
"I look forward to my mom coming in town mostly because she always wants to go shopping at all the cute shops Uptown," Sophomore Annie Shulz said.
In addition, other shop owners feel their businesses increase because their products are already more geared toward the Family Weekend crowd.
"A lot of our sales, outside of loyal local customers, come from parents who visit on Mom's and Dad's weekends," Chris Hensey, owner of Main Street Gourmet said. "Parents tend to stop by and grab craft beers or finer wines during their visits more so than students who live here."
Parents who are visiting town for Family Weekend are encouraged to take part in other community events held in Oxford outside of the bars and shopping.
According to Jessica Greene, director of the Oxford Visitors' Bureau, the Farmers Market, held every Saturday in Uptown Park, is an excellent opportunity for families to experience the community. She hoped to see lots of students with their families out enjoying the Oxford community for what it has to offer.