PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For one week, Appleton is becoming a landing spot for NFL fans — and the population is only increasing as the NFL Draft nears.
“I’ve been in business over 22 years. This one is the busiest we’ve ever had,” said James Janusheski, owner of Double J’s Shuttle Service.
Double J’s shuttle is offering rides to Green Bay through Saturday. More than 800 people have already registered, and that number could reach over 1,000 by week’s end.
“[This is] way over what we expected,” said Janusheski. “I did not expect this many people.”
Every fall, people take shuttles from College Avenue to Lombardi Avenue — but it’s nothing like this.
“This compared to a Packer game,” said Janusheski, “It’s unbelievable. It’s crazy.”
But not every business in the Fox Valley has seen the same reaction as Double J’s shuttle. Most hotels still have openings — especially for days two and three of the draft. But they’re still getting more reservations every day as Thursday approaches.
“Of the 42 hotels here in the Fox Cities, I’d say we maybe have six or seven that are completely sold out on Thursday night,” said Pam Seidl, executive director of the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Then they have rooms Friday and Saturday as well.”
Unlike Green Bay, Appleton won’t take the national spotlight for a few day. But it’s also out to prove it’s more than a mere bedroom community.
“For us, we’re doing gift bags for our guests to give some local flavor,” said General Manager of Fairfield Inn & Suites Appleton Amanda Hedtke, “If they don’t have the time to necessarily go check out a business, to promote our local businesses.”
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