Stores prep for crowds

Area businesses are looking forward to the return of alumni this weekend for Homecoming, and not just because they mean extra sales.\nEd Dyer, bartender at Nick's Old English Hut, said seeing old friends and regulars always makes Homecoming special.\n"I like this week because a lot of people I went to school with come into town," he said.\nHomecoming Weekend is Nick's third-busiest weekend of the year, after Little 500 and graduation, Dyer said. Though the football team is struggling, Dyer said the bar should be full after the 11 a.m. game against Northwestern. \n"It's one of the few games we have a chance to win, so it should be pretty packed," Dyer said.\nAt Kilroy's Sports, Homecoming festivities include guest appearances by alumni bartenders. \nOwner Linda Prall said the former bartenders as well as the regular bartenders have a great time catching up.\nSales for Kilroy's Sports on Homecoming Weekend are double compared to a typical weekend, she said. Extra security will be present to keep the lines organized.\n"It's huge," Prall said. "You basically hold on and get through it."\nOther businesses are making adjustments this week to make sure they are ready for the expected crowds.\nScholar's Inn is trimming down its menu for the weekend, so the kitchen doesn't get overwhelmed, said manager Alex Tachtiris. \nHe said reservations for large parties are no longer being taken. \n"We get a lot of alumni in, and we love to see them," Tachtiris said.\nSteve and Barry's on Kirkwood Avenue is hiring more workers for the weekend, manager Amanda Way said. She said they plan to open the store early and close late Friday and Saturday. \nShe said the alumni who come in want to talk about how IU has changed. Inevitably, she will have to give directions to those who haven't been around in a while, she said. \n"For many people, IU has changed so much," she said. "You end up giving a lot of directions."\nGreg Marshall, manager of Trojan Horse, said he expects lines out the door. This is the first Homecoming where the smoking ordinance has been in effect, and it's the first thing on Marshall's mind.\nHe said he thinks alumni will be less likely to stay longer if they can't smoke.\n"We'll still be busy, but it may not be as busy as in the past," he said. "(The ordinance) might affect us in that alumni won't hang around and smoke a cigarette and have that extra drink."\n-- Contact staff writer Adam Van Osdol at avanosdo@indiana.edu.