Business feature: Pageant having positive effect

Business for Portales restaurants, hotels and stores is expected to increase this week due to the Miss New Mexico Pageant occurring.

“Something going on that brings people into the town is good for hotel business in general,” said John Billiot, manager of the Portales Super 8 Motel.

Michaela Dodson, regional director of operations for Ambience Hospitality New Mexico, and Chrisula Webb, manager of the Holiday Inn, said their amount of customers is expected to increase due to the pageant, in addition to Heritage Days and the Portales High School reunion.

“It’s a sell-out weekend for us no matter what,” said Dodson.

Louis McCain, manager of Allsup’s off of Avenue I, said business already increased for his business over the weekend.

“A lot of people we haven’t seen (are) coming in,” said McCain.

“It was out of the ordinary for a Sunday,” added Allsup’s employee Brandy Archer. “It felt like a Friday.”

Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, am employee at Vines Restaurant, said she was excited for the pageant’s contribution to business.

“I had 30 people for reservations,” said Taylor. “(It’s) definitely impacting us in a positive way.”

Taylor said that anticipation for the event at Vines is very high.

“We even have a pageant take out menu,” said Taylor.

Much of the impact on the business revolves around the family members supporting the contestants, according to Taylor.

“(The pageant is) a bigger deal, and we are ready to handle it,” said Taylor.

Sheila Savitz, owner of Consigning Women, said she also looks forward to the pageant this week.

“It gives our town the opportunity to express the love of our town,” said Savitz. “It’s going to be great for our community. We have so much to offer.”

Savitz said she looks forward to contestants and their families interacting with the community and to welcoming guests into her store.

“It’s encouraging and exciting,” said Savitz, adding that the pageant is “a refreshing breath of air” and optimism.