Downtown Albany business owners are excited about the extra customers the Sweet 16 rounds of the women’s basketball March Madness tournaments will bring. In fact, it’s a weekend that merchants and bar and restaurant owners have been waiting for since the end of COVID.

There are roughly 80 businesses that are within steps within walking distance of the MVP Arena and many of these businesses say they will remain open 24 hours a day straight through the four-day Easter holiday weekend.

The NCAA men’s tournament last year generated about a little over $5 million. The economic impact of the NCAA women in town this weekend is about $8.5 million, according to Jill Delaney, with Discover Albany.

Hear from one restaurant owner as he talks about the godsend this extra business is by watching the video of Dan Levy’s story.