While Texas Tech is playing at home for the NCAA Regional Tournament, Lubbock is seeing an influx of opposing fans coming in town rooting their team on.
These fans are spending their money on entertainment, hotels, and food which is giving the local economy a boost going into the summer months.
"Anybody that loses a little bit whenever school gets out and everybody leaves, it's made up right now," said Justin Zimmerman, a manager at Triple J's Chophouse and Brew Co. "So there's a good 15 percent increase in business from what you see. Some folks probably more, depends on where you're at relative to the stadium. I'm sure Broadway and University see a good bit."
Zimmerman said the pickup helps everyone.
"It's beneficial for anybody who flies in from the airport all the way to the hotel staff to anyone cleaning rooms that gets a good tip from an out-of-towner," he said.
Eddie McBride from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce said, not only are fans helping businesses but they are also getting a chance to see some of what Lubbock has to offer.
"You've obviously got people coming in and going out to eat and then staying around, going to some entertainment events after the fact, or even going to shows and stuff like that," McBride said. "So it's a great weekend overall. The atmosphere here in town with the weather being the way it is today, it's really great. So lots of stuff going on anyway but boy, this certainly is the icing on the cake."
Zimmerman said they have to take extra steps to prepare for a weekend such as this.
"We staff up," he said. "We keep plenty of food on hand and we're just ready to go. Make sure that we're ready and staffed and what not. We're always ready to go but we just need to make sure that we have our good foot forward."
Even though it takes a lot to get ready for events such as the tournament, he said it pays off in more ways than one.
"The more people that we can get into town and explore and check it out and see what Lubbock has to offer, the better for everyone."
