Gulfport businesses prepare for busy Cruisin’ the Coast week
GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — Cruisin’ is kicking off in Downtown Gulfport on Sunday, and local businesses are getting ready for thousands of new faces expected to fill their spaces.
We caught up with a few of those business owners to hear what they’re expecting ahead of this year’s event.
“I think we are gonna get slammed and we are ready for it,” said Matthew Bounds, Owner of Neighbors Tap and Table.
For Neighbors Tap and Table, this is their first Cruisin’ in business, and with their location downtown, just across the highway from Cruise Central, they’re expecting to keep tables filled every day of the week.
“We’re right across the street from headquarters, so I think next week is gonna be a lot of fun. A lot of people downtown,” Bounds said.
An artist was also spotted downtown painting windows ahead of the big event. She says Cruisin’ the Coast has been great for her business, as more and more local businesses have asked her to add festive touches to the outside of their storefronts.
“Because I did this one, I’ve had three more just down here. Everybody wants their windows to be colorful and fun for all the cruisers that come through, and they want everybody to feel welcome. You know, welcome cruisers, come through, have fun. So, it’s helped tremendously,” said Chelsea Guerin, bless it crafts.
Downtown Gulfport’s popular spot, Kelly’s Sports Pub, is also gearing up for large crowds and lots of fun.
“We’ve been doing this now 14 years, and we’re never prepared enough. Every year we’re like ‘We got this. We can do it,’ and every year something throws us for a curveball. We’re just trying to be as prepared as we can, just the massive influx of people, which we love to see. It’s really the biggest event we have here in Downtown Gulfport, and I love it,” said Terry McCormack, Owner of Kelly’s Sport’s Pub.
Cruisin’ the Coast will kick off on Sunday with View the Cruise in Downtown Gulfport from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For a full schedule of Cruisin’ events, click here. WXXV will have coverage of Cruisin’ events all week long.
