PINEHURST, N.C. (WNCN) – An estimated 250,000 people are in Pinehurst with money in their pockets ready to spend on food, entertainment and shopping.
These people are in Moore County this weekend for the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst #2.
The tournament is expected to have a $300 million impact on the entire state. Some businesses in Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen are benefiting greatly. Business has been bustling since the championship started on Thursday at Denkers Dry Goods in Southern Pines.
“We have a lot of people from like South Carolina, Georgia. Have people from Rochester,” Emily Hodges, co-owner of Denkers Dry Goods said.
A completely different story for many restaurants and shops across the railroad track in Southern Pines. One restaurant is closed with a note on the door that reads, “Closed this week. Reopen June 18 for dinner. Enjoy the U.S. Open.”
Several businesses in the Sandhills closed this week after seeing slow business during the 2014 U.S. Open in Pinehurst.
In the Village of Pinehurst, CBS 17 found empty tables at several restaurants during the busy lunch hour. There have been efforts to push visitors to eat and shop in communities throughout Moore County. The U.S Golf Association is even using some local businesses as caterers and vendors.
In the coming weeks, economic development leaders plan to crunch the numbers and see exactly how well the U.S. Open financially impacted Moore County.
