South Bend Businesses react to Notre Dame returning to on campus classes

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame announced Friday that it will be returning to in-person classes and phasing in on-campus activity. That will bring more students to campus and close to nearby stores and restaurants which has owners and managers looking forward to the future.

"I can't wait until the kids come back," Bar Bici Manager Lesley Acrey said. "It's been lonely without them. I like to say we're a ghost town because that's basically what it is. There's nobody out. Nobody's enjoying the beautiful days. Everybody's been stuck in their little worlds. I just can't wait for them to come back."

Businesses in areas like Eddy Street Commons said they depend on students being on campus for business and months like August and September being busy months. An increase in on-campus activity would mean getting back to that level of business for the area, according to O'Rourke Bar Manager Kelsey Wave.

"Most of our business is derived off of students," Wade said. "So, it's been very quiet here on Eddy Street with them not being in class. It's very eerily quiet. So, we're ready for them to come back and to come visit us and see us."

Summer months are typically slow for business near Notre Dame. So, when students return for the semester, things pick up. The back and forth of students returning to campus and then going back to virtual classes has made an impact on stores and restaurants nearby.

"When they first moved in, summer was over," Acrey said. "That was amazing. It was a constant flow, and it was really good for us all the way around. Now, it's like summer just fell back real quick. So, we're back to the hit and miss traffic."

Stores and Restaurants have not been totally empty during Notre Dame's pause of on-campus activity. An occasional customer has come in, but Friday's announcement and talks of the upcoming football season have business owners looking for more.

"We all have been checking daily to see if they will be coming back especially with football season coming up," Wade said. "It's technically two weeks before the first home game. So, we're all just kind of on the edge of our seats seeing what the season is going to be like or if we're even going to have a season. So, we're all very hopeful and want everybody to come back. It's important for our business for students coming back."

Wade said business had been slow since the outbreak of COVID-19 on Notre Dame's campus saying "people were afraid to even be near campus." She is hopeful this announcement will show that Notre Dame is safe and that it is once again safe to return to stores and restaurants nearby.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Notre Dame announced Friday that it will be returning to in-person classes and phasing in on-campus activity. That will bring more students to campus and close to nearby stores and restaurants which has owners and managers looking forward to the future.

"I can't wait until the kids come back," Bar Bici Manager Lesley Acrey said. "It's been lonely without them. I like to say we're a ghost town because that's basically what it is. There's nobody out. Nobody's enjoying the beautiful days. Everybody's been stuck in their little worlds. I just can't wait for them to come back."

Businesses in areas like Eddy Street Commons said thy depend on students being on campus for business and months like August and September being busy months. An increase in on-campus activity would mean getting back to that level of business for the area, according to O'Rourke Bar Manager Kelsey Wave.

"Most of our business is derived off of students," Wade said. "So, it's been very quiet here on Eddy Street with them not being in class. It's very eerily quiet. So, we're ready for them to come back and to come visit us and see us."

Summer months are typically slow for business near Notre Dame. So, when students return for the semester, things pick up. The back and forth of students returning to campus and  then going back to virtual classes has made an impact on stores and restaurants nearby.

"When they first moved in, summer was over," Acrey said. "That was amazing. It was a constant flow, and it was really good for us all the way around. Now, it's like summer just fell back real quick. So, we're back to the hit and miss traffic."

Stores and Restaurants have not been totally empty during Notre Dame's pause of on-campus activity. An occasional customer has come in, but Friday's announcement and talks of the upcoming football season have business owners looking for more.

"We all have been checking daily to see if they will be coming back especially with football season coming up," Wade said. "It's technically two weeks before the first home game. So, we're all just kind of on the edge of our seats seeing what the season is going to be like or if we're even going to have a season. So, we're all very hopeful and want everybody to come back. It's important for our business for students coming back."

Wade said business had been slow since the outbreak of COVID-19 on Notre Dame's campus saying "people were afraid to even be near campus." She is hopeful this announcement will show that Notre Dame is safe and that it is once again safe to return to stores and restaurants nearby.