EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Downtown El Paso businesses are bracing for a surge of customers this weekend as several major events bring crowds into the area, including Michelada Fest, Sol Summit, Comic Con and two sold-out BTS shows.<\/p>\n
Juan Ramos, manager of Lamezze restaurant in downtown El Paso, said the restaurant is expecting nearly double its usual business.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe usual we get like maybe around 50, 60, 70 tables. But this time we expect 140, 130, like double from a really busy day,\u201d Ramos said.<\/p>\n
Ramos said the restaurant has been preparing to handle the rush.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all food, drinks, all stocked up, and personal. So I’m pretty sure that we will be able to handle everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Guide: UTEP issues Sun Bowl BTS fan guide outlines parking, ticketing, general information<\/a><\/p>\n With multiple events happening near downtown, Ramos said the restaurant has prepared for big weekends before. <\/p>\n He compared the expected crowds to last year\u2019s Coldplay weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cComparing it to Coldplay last year when we had a full restaurant the whole weekend. So it was Friday, Saturday, Sunday, thank God. And right now we expect the same,\u201d Ramos said.<\/p>\n Ramos said the weekend crowds will include visitors coming to El Paso for the first time.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to give them this piece of a puzzle that is friendly and nice and supportive with people that come from outside,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Some out-of-town visitors said they were in town specifically for the BTS shows on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n One visitor said, \u201cI flew her out to Utah. We’ve been there for two years.\u201d <\/p>\n The visitor added, \u201cThey were coming to El Paso, Texas. And I was like, you know what? She’s from El Paso. She can go see her family again.\u201d<\/p>\n Another visitor said, \u201cWe’re from Juarez and we have been lining up since 5.30.\u201d<\/p>\n Another visitor added, \u201cI was like wait wait wait I don’t know what’s going on and then when I saw them like the dates I was like oh my god are you serious like I’m not gonna have to travel they’re coming to me and I’m not going to them so that was so crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ramos said Lamezze is also planning BTS-themed touches to welcome concertgoers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will have decorated everything with purple details, special purple margarita for BTS,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ramos said he expects the boost to extend beyond his restaurant to the broader downtown community.<\/p>\n RELATED: BTS concerts in El Paso drive hotel bookings into Las Cruces, officials say<\/a><\/p>\n