It is late December, 2004. More than half the student population at Madison has left the city. Some head for warm beaches, others return home to spend time with family and friends. This raises the question: In a city largely dependent upon students for both work force and commerce, how do local Madison businesses fare when the student body leaves?
Surprisingly, the answer seems to be a fairly positive one. Local business owners and Madison officials said problems caused by the loss of the student body are minimal.
\We don't drop off at all during Christmas break,"" said Marsh Shapiro, president of the Dane County Tavern League and owner of the Nitty Gritty, 223 N. Frances St. ""[The Nitty Gritty] isn't just based on the students. We're a citywide and countywide business.""
While Shapiro admitted there is some drop-off in the bars at night, he said that special events such as hockey games or New Year's help make up for the reduced student body.
Sandy Torkildson, president of the Greater State Street Business Association and owner of A Room of One's Own bookstore, 307 W. Johnson St., agrees that while the loss of students does slow the local economy, other factors make up for the financial loss.
""There's a lot of students and families that travel to Madison during the break,"" Torkildson said. ""People still go out, even if they live in different parts of Wisconsin.""
However, both Torkildson and Shapiro said their biggest challenge is finding workers to fill the shifts of vacationing students.
Torkildson said there are always employees who need extra hours, and she often works extra hours herself to fill the void in the work force. Employees at the Nitty Gritty are required to work shifts during the beginning or the end of winter break.
Some students who stay during the break said they are happy to remain in the city and work. Benjamin Kartman, a UW senior who bartends at Brothers, 704 University Ave., said there is plenty of business during the break.
""A lot of people come back for New Year's, and we get a lot of townies and people visiting the area,"" Kartman said. He added student workers who remain in the city cover one another's shifts when they want to visit family, so winter vacation is fun and painless for owners and students alike.
""There's always bound to be someone around here who is willing to be here during the break,"" Kartman said. ""And after all, being in Madison is always more exciting than being at home.\
