SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Fairgrounds Café is located just a few blocks away from the main entrance of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. It opened last year, just a few months before the 2024 Illinois State Fair.
While owner Buka Nuhiji was new to business, she heard from customers that she should expect big crowds at her business. Instead, she struggled to turn a profit.Â
"Customers kept saying that we'll be so busy, it will be a crazy two weeks for us," Nuhiji said. "Instead, it was very slow. We did 40-50% less in sales than we did normally."Â
This year, Nuhiji is not getting her hopes up. She is adjusting her food ordering and staffing. She may even shut the business down while the fair is going on.Â
"A lot of my regular customers stop coming just to avoid the traffic and the area," Nuhiji said. "They didn't want to mess with the traffic at all.  I'm kind of surrounded by traffic and blockages and construction."Â
Nuhiji said many local businesses close and instead offer their lots as paid parking. One of those spots is the American Legion facility located on Sangamon Ave, across from the main gate. They close down their food service and instead offer their lot as $10 parking.Â
"We are excited for another great state fair," said Michael Walton with American Legion #39. "All our money goes to help veterans, their families and those serving our country."Â
Walton says there are not many opportunities to reach such a huge number of people each year, and the amount they make from parking costs substantially fills their goals.Â
It is not just organizations that reap the benefits of the fair.
Visit Springfield Director Scott Dahl said the whole city receives an economic boost.Â
"We are sold out the very first weekend for all 4,000 rooms in the City of Springfield," Dahl said. "Then the second weekend, we are in about 85% occupancy."Â
Dahl said he is hoping to see the state fair break another attendance record this year. Last year, there were over 773,000 guests.Â
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