“Restaurant Week 2013 had a major effect on our local eateries with nearly 7,000 dinners served at the participating restaurants,” stated Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation Executive Director Jim Salengo. “The average guest spent $32.55. That’s an economic impact of nearly a quarter million dollars in one week!”Chamber of Schenectady County President Chuck Steiner reported that 17 percent of people who completed the survey were visiting a restaurant for the first time, and 50 percent would not have dined out that evening if it were not for the special Restaurant Week pricing. He noted that this week would ordinarily have been a very slow week for restaurants due to the lack of a large show at Proctors and schools being closed for winter break. “Restaurant Week changed that for participating restaurants,” said Steiner. “More than 82 percent of participating venues reported an increase in business.”
“I hope this event continues each year,” noted Jeff McDonald of the Stockade Inn. “I felt that this year we received more phone traffic than ever for a Restaurant Week. I would anticipate that we turned away more than 500 people that we did not have the space to accommodate.”
Kevin Brown, owner of Café NOLA, reported that it was a record week for the restaurant, and they saw many new faces. Karen Popolizio, owner of the Water’s Edge Lighthouse, commented, “We had a great week, saw a lot of new faces, and I believe the event encourages people to come out when they normally wouldn’t. We were thrilled with the response.”
“Restaurant Week in Schenectady keeps getting better and better,” said Maria Perreca Papa of More Perreca’s Restaurant. “Customers were looking for value along with an enjoyable dining experience and seemed to research their options more than ever. Of course, we saw regulars throughout the week, but we were very pleased by the number of Restaurant Week patrons who mentioned they were trying us for the first time. Schenectady is the perfect location for Restaurant Week because of the diversity in our eating establishments. It’s a win-win for customers and business owners alike.”
Schenectady Restaurant Week is an annual promotion of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation and the Chamber of Schenectady County.
The Chamber of Schenectady County, founded in 1924, serves more than 1,000 businesses and 50,000 employees throughout Tech Valley. As a champion for business, we provide connections and partnerships, advocate for business at all levels, actively promote economic growth and drive member profitability and sustainability.