Area retail expects increased profits.
Merchants said they think RNC visitors will generate extra sales.
By Nikki Cyter
The Summer Pennsylvanian
Though elephants aren't expected to stampede down Walnut Street in the near future, hundreds of conventioneers will be calling University City their home during next week's Republican National Convention.
And with hundreds of visitors come hundreds of wallets.
So University City retailers are preparing to capitalize, rolling out the red carpet in anticipation of increased business.
"We are emulating what the rest of the city is doing -- putting our best foot forward as a welcome," said Daria Fink, Sansom Common's director of marketing.
Allison Kelsey, University City's director of marketing and public information, said that the convention will give University City an opportunity to showcase all that the area has to offer.
"We are hoping to give a good impression of the neighborhood and help people to realize there is more to Philadelphia than Center City," Kelsey said.
For retail establishments, this means extending hours of operation to better coincide with the convention, enhanced patriotic decor and special promotions.
Some shops at Sansom Common -- including Messages card store, Douglass Perfumerie, and Ma Jolie -- will stay open until midnight, according to managers, in hopes that they can lure visitors in after a long day of convention-going.
Visitors will have even more reason to spend dollar after dollar with the issuance of "Star Spangled Savings" cards to visiting media and delegates. The city-wide initiative offers cardholders a 15 percent discount at all participating stores.
Kelsey said she was disappointed that most retailers and restaurants in the University City area chose not to participate.
"It's shortsighted on their part," she noted.
Lee's Hoagie House, Ma Jolie, Eastern Mountain Sports and the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology are among the local businesses participating.
Many on-campus establishments have taken an active role in decorating their store fronts and offering patriotic merchandise.
William Yancey, the manager of the card store Messages, proudly displayed a collection of official merchandise, including mugs, hats and t-shirts emblazoned with the RNC logo.
But "Puffkins," -- red, white and blue plush elephants and donkeys -- have proven to be the store's biggest seller so far, Yancey noted.
Douglas is offering a special gift that will accompany purchases of $25 or more, said store manager Helmut Schoenberger. Included in the festively wrapped and flag-festooned package will be cosmetic samples.
And the red, white and blue color trio pops up once more in the form of flowers and foliage at the Inn at Penn and Ivy Grill, where media personalities from the television news stations ABC and FOX are scheduled to be stationed.
For hotels, the large volume of people will prove a special scheduling challenge.
"The RNC happens to be unique in that everyone checks in and out on the same day," noted Inn at Penn Director of Sales and Marketing Nancy Barag.
And area restaurants are counting on visitors to come back from a long day at the convention famished -- and ready to eat.
For campus-staple New Deck Tavern, the convention hits at an ideal time.
"I believe it will be great for business, it's our slow time of year," said manager Mike Doyle Jr. "No doubt about it, people have to eat, relax and drink."
Lee's Hoagies owner Lois Zucker is hoping that her Philadelphia institution will also benefit from increased foot traffic.
But the White Dog cafe is anticipating a different crowd -- those at Penn for the Shadow Convention to be held at Annenberg.
"We have a reputation for being progressive and activist," said owner Judy Wicks whose restaurant is complete with bathrooms marked "Democrat" and "Republican."
"I have seen people refuse to use the Republican [one] and instead wait in line," she quipped.
