Media Credit: Daniel Bachhaber Co-founder Mark Beauchamp examines an artist rendering of his newest Café Yumm! restaurant before it opened for service in October. During the two Trials rest days, Beauchamp anticipates a "bump" in business.

Since the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials began last Friday, local businesses have generally had more customers than usual, but not as many as some expected.

About 25,000 people every day have attended the Trials or the Eugene 08 Festival around Hayward Field, media relations liaison Rita Radostitz said. The largest attendance so far was on Friday, she said. Attendance declined on Saturday, probably because of the high temperature.

Angela Mustacchia, a server at Michael's Catering, said Friday was "really busy." But she doesn't expect the Festival to be "packed" today or tomorrow on the rest days, when there are no track and field events.

Radostitz said she expects a lot of youth to attend the "All-Comers Meet" this afternoon at Hayward Field where youth under age 12 can compete in the 60, 100, 400, or 800-meter dash.

Café Yumm! co-founder Mark Beauchamp said that business has been about the same, but he expects the Trials visitors will explore Eugene and try out local restaurants during the rest days.

"We're anticipating a bump the next few days," Beauchamp said. "With the student population down for the summer and the track and field visitors up, I didn't know what to expect since it's an unusual event."

Customer traffic at Track Town Pizza on 1809 Franklin Blvd. has been less than expected, said general manager Mike Ripley. Even though business is 25 percent more than usual, he had estimated a 100-percent increase.

"We're busier than normal, but not out-the-door craziness," Ripley said. "With 21,000 people supposedly attending, you'd think it'd be busier."

With the name Track Town Pizza, customers who come in are often interested in track and field. "You can't do a 'Track Town Pizza' anywhere else," Ripley said.

Rennie's Landing Restaurant and Bar on 1214 Kincaid St. also increased business by 20 percent on Saturday and 50 percent on Sunday, owner Jon LaBranch said. However, they probably "over-prepared," he said.

Medford residents Sally and Al Densmore said they have greatly enjoyed their on-campus stay in the Hamilton Complex, eating food on campus and using public transportation. After paying $800 for their tickets, they decided to be "thrifty" and eat only on campus. However, on the rest days, the Densmores plan to travel out of town.

Eugene resident Doug Keever came to the Festival to watch the finals on the big screen, but he doesn't plan to return because he can just "watch on the television at home with air conditioning."

Festival-goers and University sophomores Kim Dooley and Katrina Ford both thought more people would show up to the Trials. Dooley said the athletes and coaches she met while working as a Living Learning Center area desk assistant were "really nice."

Ford works as an on-campus day care assistant and took the kids she works with to see an event. "The kids loved the pole vaulting," she said. Both Ford and Dooley said they were enjoying the atmosphere of the Festival and plan to return later in the week.

news@dailyemerald.com

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