BRISTOL, Tenn./Va. (WCYB) — Downtown Bristol is booming after the NASCAR race and the Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Local businesses saw big crowds and strong sales.

News Five’s Natalea Hillen takes us downtown to hear from business owners about the impact.

After back-to-back weekends packed with race fans and festivalgoers, Downtown Bristol businesses said the energy hasn’t slowed down. From restaurants to retailers, owners told me the boost in sales shows just how crucial these events are.

For the past two weekends, Downtown Bristol has been busy with locals and visitors packing shops and restaurants.

At The Corner, Owner John Griffith said race weekend gave them a strong boost.

We noticed during the race a really big pick-up for our daytime crowd, like our lunchtime crowd and then Saturday after the race it seemed like we did really well, said The Corner, owner John Griffith.

This past weekend also marked the 5th year The Corner has taken part in the Rhythm & Roots Reunion and Griffith said it was their best one yet.

Friday was a little down, but Saturday and Sunday were up. As a total, it ended up being a little better this year, said Griffith.

At Cheap Thrills Records, employee Jukebox Jess said the festival always brings new customers through the door.

I was kind of amazed. You wouldn’t think people would want to carry records around, but they came in. A lot of them don’t have stores like this where they live, and they were so excited to take a little piece of Bristol home with them. said Cheap Thrills Records employee, Jukebox Jess.

She said this year was record-breaking for sales.

This was our 4th Rhythm and Roots, and it was our best year yet in terms of sales and foot traffic, said Jukebox Jess.

And Jukebox Jess told me the festival attracts new visitors to Bristol and the store.

It was just really steady. A lot of people came to Bristol for the first time, some come every year, and they stop in to see us every time too, said Jess.

Downtown Bristol businesses aren’t slowing down just yet. Bristol Oktoberfest is set for this Saturday, September 27th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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