St. Louis’ NCAA Final Four will bring tens of thousands of basketball fans to the region with an estimated economic impact of more than $50 million.
While the actual impact of these dollars can be debated, several local African-American entrepreneurs will reap the benefit of the four-day weekend of activities.
The Roberts Companies, owned by Mike and Steve Roberts, will take advantage of the Final Four at various sites, beginning with the Roberts Mayfair Hotel. The hotel has been sold out for weeks, and its restaurants and bars will see overflow crowds throughout the final days of the NCAA Men’s Division 1 Basketball Tournament.
When Duke lost on Saturday, the Roberts Orpheum lost its Monday night booking.
“Duke’s major donor and alumni victory party was scheduled here,” said Michael Jennings, Roberts Orpheum Theater general manager.
He said he is contacting Final Four schools to possible fill the Monday night postgame opening.
However, The Orpheum will host the party of the weekend.
The Adidas Coaching Party is there, “and it’s the hardest ticket to get,” Jennings said.
Sponsored by Kettle One Vodka and Red Bull, the party attracts hundreds of the nation’s top head coaches and the familiar television celebrities and athletes that broadcast college basketball throughout the season.
Former St. Louis Blues defenseman Tony Twist and his Head First Foundation will host an all-day charitable event at the Orpheum from 11 a.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday. The venue is open to the public for free during the day and food and beverages will be sold. During the evening, there will be a cover charge and there will be disco and hip-hop DJs.
Twist’s foundation helps educate the public about the importance of children wearing safety helmets when biking, skateboarding or roller boarding and makes helmets available to those who cannot afford them.
While the Orpheum is silent on Sunday, April 3, the Roberts Lofts have several rented out for the weekend, and entrepreneurs, who will be hawking Final Four souvenirs, are renting several Roberts storefront properties.
Jonathan Burns, owner of Plush in Union Station, says his nightclub “certainly is expecting big crowds.”
On Thursday, Steve Jackson and the St. Louis Rams are hosting a “Welcome to St. Louis” party “which should be fun,” said Burns.
On Friday, Apple Bottom jeans presents its “Models and Bottles” evening, and Saturday will be home to Kyjuan’s annual “Green Party.”
