As Bloomington prepared for the College Football Playoff National Championship, local bars, restaurants, and shops along Kirkwood Avenue were getting ready for an influx of Indiana University fans. FOX59 reported that businesses like Brothers Bar and Grill increased staffing, with about 25 employees scheduled for game day. Local shops such as Greetings saw higher sales of IU merchandise.
Hotels in the city reported higher occupancy compared to last year’s championship, which IU did not participate in, indicating an economic boost, WTHR reported.
The Bloomington Police Department planned increased staffing before, during, and after the game, working with state and local law enforcement to maintain safety, according to Capt. Ryan Pedigo. Businesses were advised to remove outdoor items that could pose hazards after the game, and residents were encouraged to celebrate responsibly, The Herald Times reported.
Mayor Kerry Thomson’s office stated that parts of Kirkwood Avenue could close to vehicles depending on crowd size. The city planned roadblocks for buses and sanitation trucks as needed and offered a free game-viewing event at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
