LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — People were rushing to the KFC Yum! Center Saturday to cheer on the Louisville women's basketball in first-round action of the NCAA Tournament.
But before they game, many people spent time at a tailgate party on West Main Street, Whiskey Row, in downtown Louisville.
For General Manager of Goodwood Ami Chavez, she was ecstatic when Louisville Downtown Partnership reached out to her and other businesses in Whiskey Row to organize a tailgate for the Louisville women's game.
"The city has put a lot of time and money into investing ion this block, so we're very happy to finally get to utilize it," Chavez said. "It helps bring life to downtown, and we definitely need that."
Part of West Main Street was blocked off for the tailgate.
Others like Scott Wimsatt, from Moxy Hotel, said they want to see more events like this.
"It's a great area to be in and have fun and entertain," Wimsatt said. "Hopefully it's going to reinvigorate this whole area."
Businessowners on Whiskey Row welcome the added business, as some are still recovering from COVID-19.
"During COVID, just like many places, business kind of took a hit," Chavez said. "Tourism took a hit, and it's taken quite some time to build that back up."
For others, like Wimsatt, the boost in business is welcomed.
"It affected foot traffic," Wimsatt said. "It affected overall expectations for sales for businesses. I feel like downtown with all the new infrastructure and parks and businesses downtown is really going to be a magnet to a little bit more tourism and a lot more fun to come down to Louisville."
Tourists like Anthony Salamah were also on Whiskey Row. He said events like the NCAA Tournament will keep him coming back to Louisville.
"I'll bring all my friends from Michigan," Salamah said. "We're going to come have a good time in Louisville."
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