Local businesses booming as SXSW returns to Austin

SXSW returns to Austin in-person

Many local businesses that took a financial hit during the years SXSW was gone say they're already seeing the financial benefit of the festival's return.

AUSTIN, Texas - After two years, SXSW is back in person. The popular festival brings crowds, events, and of course traffic.

"I feel like everybody is ready to come back and enjoy it," said Devon Lampman, the Co-Owner of Barton Springs bike rental.

Lampman said the festival is the busiest time for them, so when it was gone for two years, they took a big hit.

"We made it through luckily, but it definitely hurt the business a bit. Now that it's back, business has just been busier than ever."

With the festival back, they are already seeing the impact on business, they quickly sold out of bike rentals Friday.

"All of them. We have about 250 to 300 bikes and we've sold out of pretty much every single one of them. We do keep some bikes back to do our tours," said Lampman.

SXSW has a major impact on Austin overall. In 2019, the year before the festival had to take a hiatus, it had an economic impact on the city of more than $350 million.

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MORE HEADLINES:
SXSW 2022: Dates, tickets, events, COVID-19 policy guide
SXSW 2022: Film, Music, Comedy festivals guide
SXSW 2022: Guide to shows, installations, activations, and pop-ups

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