Promises of a Democratic convention windfall now seem as empty as Boston's streets this week to many Hub merchants, restaurants, tourist sites and small businesses.
``Never in the 33 years we've been here have we seen anything like it,'' said George George, co-owner of the Albany Sandwich Shop in the South End, who said his business this week is off by as much as 50 percent. ``It's like a snowstorm in the middle of summer, only in a snowstorm we get the plow drivers.''
Through all but the last day of the four-day convention, the event has not been a boon, interviews with dozens of Hub businesses revealed. In fact, many say they've lost out as residents and workers skipped town and delegates ate for free at high-end parties.
Many restaurant owners double-ordered produce and other supplies last week with the expectation that deliveries would be blocked and convention traffic would quickly leave them with nothing to serve.
Instead, they say, refrigerators are overstocked, delivery trucks are managing with few problems and customer traffic has slowed to a trickle as the convention sucks up all the action like a corporate sponge
Protest getting out of hand......fire on Canal Street....any media covering this?