As Ivy League track and field athletes descended on Hanover this weekend, they explored beyond the confines of Leverone Field House. Many local businesses and restaurants saw a large influx of patrons during the 2014 Ivy League Heptagonal Indoor Track and Field Championship this weekend, which were held at the College for the first time in four years.
The weekend’s tournament began Saturday at 11 a.m. and concluded yesterday afternoon. Though Dartmouth women were in the lead after day one, they ended Sunday in second place to Harvard University. Cornell University won on the men’s side, while Dartmouth men placed sixth.
Thanks to the influx of athletes, local restaurants and hotels reported above-normal levels of business over the weekend.
Six South Street Hotel had all of its rooms booked. Hotel receptionist Madison Hayes said the hotel’s management foresaw this increase in reservations weeks ago. Hayes added that she did not feel that the increased clientele caused any issues for management.
The hotel, she said, is “accustomed” to an influx of customers.
Hayes noted that the Cornell University and Columbia University basketball teams had reserved many of the hotel’s rooms for the weekend, as both universities’ men’s and women’s teams played Dartmouth this weekend. She also observed that the distribution of rooms for teams and parents appeared to be evenly split.
Matt Henry, manager of the Residence Inn by Marriott in Lebanon, said that his hotel was also completely booked. Henry observed that many of the guests were parents supporting children competing in the championship.
Hanover Inn general manager Joseph Mellia was unavailable for comment by press time.
Hotels were not the only establishments to benefit from the weekend’s championship. Many other businesses, especially restaurants, also observed an increase in patronage.
Donna Langlais, the manager of Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery, said that while business is expected to be higher on weekends, the number of customers on Saturday and Sunday compared to other big weekends like Winter Carnival.
“It seemed like a longer day — it started a lot earlier than usual, and it seems to be going longer,” Langlais said in the early afternoon.
Molly’s Restaurant and Bar manager Ben Williams said this weekend was very demanding, but management did not feel the need to increase staff on duty. He said that Molly’s provided service to everyone, though clients had to wait longer than usual.
“When there is any type of event at Dartmouth, we know we are going to have a busy weekend,” Williams said. “Whenever there is a game, we get more business.”
Lisa Gelinas, manager of Murphy’s On The Green, said the South Main Street restaurant was also busy this weekend, but noted that there was no increase in reservations as weekends are usually completely booked.
Three Guys Basement Barbeque manager Carrie Emerson said this weekend was very busy, but not more so than big weekends like Homecoming or Winter Carnival. About 25 Harvard track and field competitors came into the restaurant to grab food before heading home. She added that she was pleased to see familiar faces on the Harvard squad, as some team members had been to the restaurant in previous years.
Sean Connolly contributed reporting to this article.
