GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The NFL Draft is anticipated to bring about a quarter of a million people to the Green Bay area, and economic impact is estimated to be about $94 million statewide — with about $20 million locally.
While some businesses are hoping to cash in during the draft, others will just watch from the sidelines.
The extra traffic expected in and around Lambeau Field and Titletown during the NFL Draft is good news for business owners like Dave Powers of Powers Comics. In fact, Powers Comics is opening early every morning of draft week.
“There’s going to be a lot of people parking within the one square mile from our business, so I really, fully expect people who show up looking for things to do. There’s going to be a lot of foot traffic in Ashwaubenon compared to usual,” said Powers.
All that extra congestion, however, is leading businesses like Bougie Salon, in the shadows of Lambeau Field, to keep their doors closed during draft week.
“With some of the road closures and with it as busy as what it’s going to be right here, we have already had clients tell us they would prefer not have to try to struggle through the traffic and gourds of people to try and get to an appointment,” said Nikki Bougie, owner of Bougie Salon.
The owner of Kimps Ace Hardware on the other side of the stadium feel the same way. While Kimps will be offering parking to draft attendees, like it does for Packers home games, the store will be closed to shoppers.
According to Clint Kimps, “It’s going to be way too chaotic to get down here. The amount of traffic that’s going to run through, I’ve heard possibly the main gate is going to be coming off of Ridge Road, where there’s just going to be too many people on the street to be safe.”
The road closures, that will impact S. Ridge Road between Titletown and Lambeau Field is leading to some uncertainty at Kroll’s.
“It’s really hard to make plans because of the access to our facility. We don’t really know what’s going to happen on our corner,” said owner Mike Wier.
He’s unsure if the Green Bay institution will be open for the draft, saying, “Trying to be positive about this, because it’s a great thing for Brown County. We’re just in a real tough position right here.”
Wier said while he’d like to be open, there are too many questions right now in regard to accessibility — not only draft week, but in the weeks ahead and after that. A final decision hasn’t been made.
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