#RedForEd brings business surge to area near Capitol

With thousands of educators demonstrating at the Arizona Capitol for six days, businesses in downtown Phoenix saw the impact.

More than 50,000 educators and their supporters met at the Capitol on the walkout’s first day alone.

That meant a lot of potential business for storefronts and eateries near the Capitol.

Days before the walkout began, many businesses announced deals for teachers and students wearing red in solidarity.

Once the walkout began, a sea of red filled the light-rail trains and buses headed for downtown.

Arizona Educators United, a group that helped organize the walkout, encouraged supporters to use public transportation or ride-share services.

Valley Metro tweeted that many trains were experiencing 25-minute delays on the first day of the walkout.

Valley Metro did not release boarding numbers for the other days of the walkout.

The agency had 20,000 more boardings than a typical Thursday in April, a Valley Metro representative said.

In general, large events can bring an economic boost to downtown businesses, according to Downtown Phoe-

nix Partnership Executive Director Dan Klocke.

“Last Thursday for instance, before and after the first Red For Ed march, there were a lot of red shirts at the restaurants eating breakfast,” Klock saide. “You could not find a restaurant seat close to the arena on Wednesday when Justin Timberlake performed.”

As educators rallied for higher pay and school funding, many businesses catered to the protesters.

Food trucks lined 17th Avenue on most days of the walkout. People could buy ice cream, European-inspired cuisine, hot dogs and tacos.

“We are just here to make a difference,” said Udder Delights’ Rachel Ghezzi.

Nearby brick-and-mortar eateries said they had an influx of customers.

Taquerias El Chino on Van Buren Street and El Chino Restaurante y Catina on Central Avenue saw a rise during the last two weeks.

The restaurants offered a 20 percent discount to all educators if they wore a red T-shirt or had a school badge.

“The owner, Raphael Ung, and the staff felt it was our way to support teachers and educators during this time,” said El Chino Restaurante y Cantina manager David Vasquez.