Business as Usual in Phoenix, Arizona, with the Super Bowl

One thing I know for sure is that business is booming in Phoenix, Arizona -- from the smallest business to the biggest. Everyone seems to be capitalizing on 'Super Bowl Fever'. I have shelled out more money than I thought possible and all the pizza spots are making loads of money at least off of me, probably enough money to take care of a small village in Zimbabwe. So far from what I've seen everyone is shelling out money like Hollywood's elite, from hotel expenses, souvenirs, food, Patriot (of course) t-shirts and memorabilia.

I had a chance to speak with Ron the Manager of CK's Tavern and Grill, in Phoenix. The placement of the restaurant is a bit further away from the chaos of the Super Bowl, and so I had a few questions only he could help with.

"How has business been going since the Super Bowl has come to Phoenix?"

Giving a small laugh he says "Things have stayed the same."

"Was business this good before the Super Bowl?" I knew there had to be some sort of difference despite the distance from all the revelers, answering a comfortable tone "It remains the same although we have seen a few new faces."

I tell you one thing if I was interested in working for a restaurant his demeanor and manner of speaking would make me comfortable enough, you know the type of manager who almost seems to show an interest without going over board.

"Do you feel as though the Super Bowl has made a difference in business?"

"Well, yes, but there's a difference, if we were closer then there would be more fun and things would become hectic." Both of us kind of laughs, even though I can appreciate as much as the next one the increase in business, all I could think of was the noise and crowds, which made me shudder and laugh

"Yes a bit of chaos."

This is definitely a manager who knows what good will come out of those in the center of Super Bowl Mania, and eventually the surrounding areas of the Super Bowl have seen or will see as Ron does, "Of course it's good for the economy" A very smart man.

On a lighter note I get into the menu "So have you thought of any new names for the menu to go along with the Super Bowl?" Chuckling he responds "Naaa. No, things are still the same."

"How do you expect business to go after everything winds down?"

Without even the slightest bit of being put on the spot he says "It'll be the same." This is a wonderful outlook to maintain on a business that has been flourishing with and without the Super Bowl's arrival.

The sad part is most tourists visiting for the Bowl are spending rent money and other bill money. Even though the surrounding businesses are happy, most people won't be, when it's all said and done with. Even with the spending of bill money the beauty of it all comes from the fact that this is a memorable occasion. Not only will you probably be terribly broke by the end of it but you will always be able to say 'I experienced the Fever of Super Bowl XLII through the outbreak in 2008'. Isn't it wonderful to be able to lose your money now? I know it's wonderful for me. Not to mention you have helped the economy of the city and surrounding areas and even have added to the decrease of the unemployment rate because of the need for constant staff during this time. Even afterwards there will be the ability to ride the wave of success at least a few months after the NFL has vacated the area for Arizona's population.

The flip side to the boost in Arizona's economy is the downward side of the inhabitants after the end of the festivities. Being that I survived the Before, During, and After, of the Atlanta Olympics, this offers me a tad bit of understanding in what the people will experience, even if not on a completely international level. There will be wonderful programs implemented, much like in Atlanta, but a lot of money I believe will go to frivolous causes and unnecessary repairs. A lot of money was spent in Atlanta only to lead to road ways that had been started and was never finished, but I suppose in the long run I guess it served the greater good.

I've seen quite a few of those temporary businesses in our area started in the exciting time of the Olympics, and those same agencies that came about during the events, eventually went belly up soon after mostly small and mid sized businesses not all but some. Maybe this was because of mismanagement or other reasons but overall it occurred. Programs that were made for the poor with funds earned by the Olympics went towards assistance programs due to the boost in economy, but the problem normally was, that these poor families would make too much money to reap any benefits of those assistance programs. Go figure.
I just pray that they haven't done what our wonderful state that I do love completely, did in the past during the Olympics, and get the homeless out of the city as to not besmirch the image of the city, although I do understand their reasons for doing so, but of course the soft part of me was saddened by the ill placement of some individuals.

Not to place a damper on a wonderful and fun time, but the hub bub of the Super Bowl will fade just like the fantasies of a child into the realities of adulthood, whether they are good or harsh in the long run. I like everyone here using credit and debit cards, let's help one of our states boost the economy and pray they know what to do with the money due to past examples. GO PATRIOTS!!