All-Star Game Brings Big Money To S.F.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jul. 8, 2007 (KGO) (KGO) -- Baseball is bringing big money to San Francisco. The All-Star game festivities mean tens of millions of dollars are being shelled out in restaurants, hotels and stores across San Francisco - a boon for local businesses.

If money makes the world go round - then the millions of dollars from FanFest and this All-Star week has San Francisco spinning.

Money, money, money - that's what more than 200,000 people who are all here for All-Star week are leaving in San Francisco besides their hearts.

Janelle Fukumoto is here from Hawaii. She's buying All-Star souvenirs for her boyfriend back home.

Janelle Fukumoto, Tourist: "So I'm buying stuff and he owes me a lot of money now."

ABC7's Tomas Roman: "How much have you been spending?"

Janelle Fukumoto: "Perhaps $50 dollars so far, but were going to Embarcadero Plaza to see what else there is."

From AT&T Park to Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf - baseball fans and other tourists are spending a lot of money in San Francisco stores restaurants and hotels. The five days of FanFest and Tuesday's All-Star game is expected to be the most profitable week of the year for the city's businesses.

Laurie Armstrong, Convention and Visitors Bureau: "Somewhere between $60 million and 65 million dollars in direct spending for the whole city. We think there is going to be about 250,000 people who will participate in the All-Star activities over all."

Laurie Armstrong is with the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. She says out of that 250,000, 100,000 people will stay in the city - filling more than 15,000 hotel rooms. More people will be taking Muni and of course there is all the beer those All-Star fans can drink. "Momos" restaurant across from AT&T Park is ready.

Rob Marcaletti, Momo's Restaurant: "Al least 30 cases just to get ready and then it will probably double by just by the end of today."

Those fans are also hungry. Restaurants are packed near AT&T Park and Moscone Center which is hosting FanFest. Micheael Paureo is the manager at Mels Diner.

Michael Paureo, Mel's Diner: "Percentage wise we are doing about 25 percent increase over last year yesterday. We are looking at a pretty good day today as well."

Outside the park security is tight. San Francisco Sheriffs Deputies have brought out their bomb sniffing dogs and streets are closed to thru traffic near AT&T Park.

Homeland Security has cleared a two block radius around the park just for security reasons.

For full coverage of FanFest and the 2007 All-Star Game including transit options, rosters and schedules, click here.

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