The Bombers were a boon.
The 40,000 fans who flocked to three consecutive sold-out Pirates-New York Yankees games at PNC Park this week gave a financial boost to local businesses, hotel and restaurant managers said. The number of customers was comparable to opening day and certainly more than businesses usually see during a midweek home stand, many Downtown businesses said.
"It's more than double our usual business for a Pirates game for an average weekday series," said Courtney Campbell, manager at Atria's Restaurant & Tavern at PNC Park on Federal Street. "It's been so much fun. There's that same buzz and feel that was around with the (2006) All-Star Game."
The Yankees create a stir wherever they go. The team's fabled history and All-Star lineup packs ballparks across the country. Thunderstorms postponed the final game of the series last night, but it's been rescheduled for July 10.
That means another chance for businesses to cash in.
"Anytime a lot people visit the city, stay at local hotels, eat at local restaurants and attend events in the city is great," said Beverly Morrow-Jones, executive director of VisitPittsburgh.
The city's visitors bureau didn't track the number of out-of-towners this week and couldn't estimate how much they spent, Morrow-Jones said.
Melanie Koscelnak, director of sales and marketing for the Renaissance in Downtown, said the hotel sold out Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday.
"These were the busiest nights since the All-Star game," Koscelnak said. "We probably did $20,000 more (in business Wednesday) night than we typically do."
Lidia's in the Strip District got plenty of business from out-of-towners, general manager Mike Hamwey said. He said it's certainly more business than they usually see during Pirates games.
"It's just a popular day to be in the city," he said hours before Wednesday's game. "There's definitely been an uptick because of it."
Tom Martini, general manager of the Westin Convention Center hotel Downtown, said the crowds were the result of baseball fans and a large conference of the American Society for Engineer Education.
"All these people here made the city very tight," Martini said. "From everything I'm seeing, the hotels are sold out through the airport corridor and in Monroeville."
The Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association couldn't verify capacities in the region, said Rick Strunk, the group's executive vice president. But he said Downtown businesses would have reaped the most benefits from the Yankees series.
"Anytime a sports team comes into town, there's a great impact on the hospitality industry," Strunk said.
Primanti Brothers in the Strip saw a 20 percent to 30 percent increase in business Tuesday, manager George Corradetti said.
Taxis were in high demand, said Jerry Campolongo, general manager for the Pittsburgh Transportation Group, which operates Yellow Cab. The company had drivers out late after each game, he said.
"I only wish we had 50 more cabs," Campolongo said, "because we'd (have made) a lot more money."
But the crowds weren't great for everyone.
Leighann Letta, 20, of Oakland worked her first shift as a waitress at Calico Jack's Cantina on the North Shore during Tuesday night's game.
"Every table was full," she said. "It was a nightmare."
