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| Updated: 9/03/2012 9:54 pm |
Published: 9/03/2012 9:48 pm |
JACKSONVILLE, AR – Businesses in Jacksonville are looking forward to the economic boom that comes with the air show happening at the Little Rock Air Force Base this weekend.
The original fried pie shop in Jacksonville is a tourist destination, but this summer, a lack of visitors to town means business in not as filling as hoped for.
“Most of our business is out of town people, Searcy, Sherwood, even Jonesboro,” says Debbie Hoggard, with the Original Fried Pie Shop. “But with the hot weather, a lot of people don’t like to eat a whole lot.
The amount of tourists in town to watch the air show is good news for Jacksonville businesses. The LRAFB hopes at least 225,000 will attend. More people in town means more money spent in the local economy.
“I think it’s going to be a very busy, busy weekend for Jacksonville,” says Hoggard.
Even though the Super 8 Motel is located right off Hwy 67/167, this summer hasn’t seen a whole lot of people passing through town needing rooms. Located just down the road from the air base, it is completely booked this weekend.
“It will probably bring people from other areas to want to visit Jacksonville, not just for the air show,” says Ali, a Super 8 employee.
While the air show is the big draw this weekend, it isn’t the only show in town. There is also a big flea market and one motel says they are sold out for a church retreat. While business owners in Jacksonville say they’re excited for the quick influx of customers this weekend they wish more events and activities would come to town to keep money flowing.
