Bike Week Brings Bucks

By Jessica Clark First Coast News ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- When Bike Week hits Daytona Beach, St. Johns County benefits.

Businesses, especially in the St. Augustine, cater to motorcyclists during this first week in March.

The Oasis Restaurant on St. Augustine Beach certainly does. It blocks off the entire front part of its parking lot for motorcycles only. It also stocks up on motorcycle souvenirs and T-shirts commemorating Bike Week.

The St. Johns County Visitor and Convention Bureau does not track the business Bike Week brings. However, a spokeswoman says the tax index shows an upswing in March... the same time Bike Week is scheduled.

Restaurants see a 10 percent increase in business, and hotels rev up 30 percent more business in March compared to February.

Bike Week generates $260 million into the Daytona economy. It?s expected 500,000 visitors pour into the city during Bike Week. St. Augustine is bound to get some of the visitors and some of the money they bring with them.

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