At last, traders hit gold
THEY came, they saw, they ate.
Southport businesses reported a boost in trade thanks to the thousands of hungry Commonwealth Games triathlon spectators.
Fast-food venues and cafes in the CBD say they sold up to double the amount of stock yesterday.
Southport McDonald’s, positioned on the Marine Parade triathlon course, sold 120 burgers in an hour. Subway sold 250 rolls.
“This was the best business we have had in a long time,” Subway Southport Manager Nicole Berry said. “It has been dead for weeks with the lowest sales we have had in years, so, yes, I am keen for this to keep up.”
For the sporty crowd it appeared health was still on the menu, with fish and chicken fillings the most popular.
“It has been our biggest day ever, we had to restock on the milk a few times. They were asking for almond milk, skim or soy the most, ” Dean Jeong , part-owner of the D Point Ten cafe, said.
“We have had at least three times as much (business) as usual.”
Amanda Huxford, who was working behind the deli at Broadwater Convenience during Games compeitition yesterday, said most snacks flew off the shelves.
Broadbeach has been consistently busy in the past few days.
Kurrawa Park was a hive of activity, with locals taking part in celebrations.
A statue of beloved Games mascot Borobi was in high demand from people posing for selfies with the blue tuxedoclad koala.
It was business as usual in Surfers Paradise.
“We were expecting a lot more customers with all the tourists coming in, but we’ve just had average numbers over the past two days,” Ripley’s Believe It or Not employee Rubie Cichon, 19, said.
Ben and Jerry’s acting manager Ashleigh Joeseph, 21 said the reason business was stagnant was because no sporting events were being held in Surfers.
“People are here for Festival 2018 — and that doesn’t get good until night time,” Mr Joeseph said.
“I did think that it would be a lot busier with the way everyone was talking about it.”
Many employees believe the “Coast craziness” was amped up more than it should have been.
Broadbeach was abuzz with excitement yesterday morning with big crowds packing restaurants through the mall.