AIKEN, S.C. — Downtown Aiken restaurants are bracing for a rush this weekend, with roughly 10,000 people expected at the Fall Steeplechase on Saturday.
The general manager of Mellow Mushroom said big race days can lift sales by 10 to 20 percent for the evening, with much of the bump coming from drinks, because guests in The Alley can carry a drink from any of the bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. The dining room itself stays the same size, he noted, so the kitchen and staff have to keep pace with the crowd.
At Southbound, the general manager said business usually slows as the weather cools, which makes a weekend like this one important to the bottom line. The staff starts getting ready two to three weeks out, stocking supplies, decorating and planning food and drink specials. Servers are counting on it too, with one at Takosushi saying the races give local workers a chance to earn extra money.
The meet is one of the last stops of the National Steeplechase Association season, and its championship races help settle the season titles for best horse, rider and trainer. Every patron and every parked car needs a physical ticket. Patron tickets can be bought at the gates on race day, but patron parking is limited to the Green Gate and fills on a first-come basis, so buying ahead is recommended.
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