Downtown Columbia businesses reflect after busy weekend downtown

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sunday marked the last day of the True False Film Festival in Columbia, which was expected to bring in 10,000-15,000 people to the downtown area.

With an influx of people flocking to the area, downtown businesses said they noticed an increase in business. Owner of Ninth Street Public House Jamez Kanne said things started to pick up for his business on the second day.

"It really started on Friday," Kanne said. "Thursday it definitely picked up but Friday it was in full swing... I mean it's great, it's obviously great I mean it brings in money clearly."

The festival officially began on the 29th, but was kicked-off by the "March March" parade on March 1.

Kanne said each year the festival brings about a different crowd, but noted his business was busier than the year prior.

"Better is the best way I can put it," Kanne said. "Last year people were still getting back into downtown Columbia stuff but I think this year with the weather and everything it really brought people."

Other businesses such as Shakespeare's Pizza Downtown also told ABC 17 News they noticed an increase in consistent business throughout the day. Most businesses said there wasn't a specific time of day when things picked up. However, bar owners said things got busier later into the nights.

A spokesperson for the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau told ABC 17 News that a 2018 economic impact study found the festival brought in $2.2 million to Columbia.