If he wasn't a sports fan before, Ryan Cyre is one now.
Since the 2015 Canada Winter Games has started, his White Goose Bistro restaurant at Third and Dominion has been busy with out-of-town diners.
What's more, he's hired 16 more staff to work a catering service, whose customers include the Lheidli T'enneh pavilion at Sixth and Dominion, and host events out of the Columbus Community Centre. He has not been disappointed.
"It's helped lots," Cyre said Wednesday. "Just the amount of catering we do, the amount of people we're getting in here and the recognition we're getting from people all over the country."
Another winner has been Ohh...Chocolat.
The chocolatier and restaurant at Sixth and George has been opening an hour earlier and staying open an extra five hours each day, until 9:30 p.m., and manager Cathy Springall said it's been worthwhile.
A "vast majority" of the foot traffic has been visitors in Prince George for the Games and the chocolate bars with the Canada Winters Games logo on them have been a hit. ($2 from every bar sold goes back to the Games).
"I think people have been excited about this kind of a shop because it's not common throughout Canada," Springall said.
The response from downtown retailers contacted Wednesday was more mixed.
Dandy Lines on Fourth Avenue has been open on Sunday afternoons and for an extra two hours Monday to Saturday. Owner Erin MacDermott did not expect a huge increase in sales, "but there's been a lot of foot traffic and it's been really fun just talking to everybody."
Things that have been easy to carry, like tea towels and cards, have been popular.
"Anything foxy has been very popular, foxes or moose," MacDermott said.
HomeWork at Third and Quebec has seen a slight increase in sales and a big increase in traffic.
"I also find it's kind of brought a lot of locals downtown too," store manager Anthony Voitik said and added he hoped the trend continues after the Games have ended.
Because the store, which carries a range of furniture, decor, clothing and gifts, is moving to a new location - the old Spruce City Resale on Third Avenue - nothing special was done for the Games. But its unique line of items has generated some interest.
"A lot of people, you see them smile in here, it's a fun little place to tour around," Voitik said.
Kathy's Quilt Shop owner Kathy Deaton said certain kinds of visitors here for the Games have dropped into her Fourth Avenue store.
"Quilters will come to any quilt shop, from out of town they'll come," Deaton said.
However, she said the traffic dies off at 5 p.m. even though she's been staying open until 7 p.m. because everyone is converging at the Canada Winter Games Plaza. Deaton will also open this Sunday.
Downtown Prince George executive director Carla Johnston said some restaurants and retailers may not have seen the influx of business they had hoped for but the work getting businesses ready for the extra volume may still be worthwhile over the longer run.
"There's certainly some legacy value in that with respect to everyone upping their game on inventory and improving on their customer service skills," Johnston said.
Johnston added she's heard positive feedback from visitors about the service they've received.
And while the parking lots next to the Legion, Four Seasons Pool and Days Inn have been closed off for the Games, Johnston said there is still plenty of parking downtown to go along with the free public transit.
