By Susan Thurston, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
TAMPA — While many local businesses look for ways to cash in on delegates attending the Republican National Convention, a few are targeting a different group: the protesters.
Demonstrators, rather than politicians and media members, will generate the most foot traffic for downtown and Ybor City bars and restaurants not directly involved with the convention, observers say. They won't have meals waiting for them at their hotels, and they won't have buses whisking them in and out of the convention area.
"You're going to have everyone catering to elephants,'' said Patrick Manteiga, editor of Tampa's La Gaceta newspaper. "If you have 10,000 people coming of a different philosophy, I think they would flock to businesses that welcome them with open arms and a smile.''
Manteiga, a Democratic activist, has spoken with city and host committee officials ...