JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three restaurants opened Monday: Pollo Tropical in Mandarin, Buffalo Wild Wings in Orange Park, and Tijuana Flats in Bartram Park. Four more restaurants will follow over the next week as the River City welcomes a total of seven restaurants to town.
"I figured things are starting to pick up with what the president's done and everything like that," said Buffalo Wild Wings owner John Bonner. "We are starting to pick up with the economy, and people are having a lot of fun and trusting things a little better."
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When Channel 4 arrived at Buffalo Wild Wings in Orange Park Monday night, there wasn't a seat available.
"Business has been insanely busy, brand new biz, everybody loves it," said Bonner. "Everybody today has been telling me how happy they are we're here."
The line was also long at the new Pollo Tropical. So far, customers seem willing to spend money in an economy that needs cash flowing.
Robert Coker, manager at the newest Tijuana Flats in town, said now's the time for business.
"This is definitely a good area to open. We got a lot of traffic," he said.
With seven restaurants opening in seven days, restaurant owners are hoping they can help perk up the economy and they hope their opening day sales will continue to grow.
"I think we are going to be busy for a long time," said Bonner. "People love their sports and wings, and we bring both to them."