Business booms near University of Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Business is booming again for restaurants, bars, and retail stores near the University of Texas at Austin, as more than 50,000 students head back to school.

Store owners say after months of dried up sales during the summer they're now welcoming the larger crowds.

Sales are skyrocketing near the UT campus for businesses of all kinds. For store owners it's like Christmas in August after several dull summer months when their main customers are away.

"In the summer they just go home and we are just dead over here," said Kavita Sajnani, owner of Manju's clothing store near campus. "When this time comes it gets crazy busy."

For Alan Valdmets-Harris, a manager at Kerbey Lane, it was the perfect time to give the restaurant a complete makeover.

The store has a new atmosphere in hopes of catching the eyes of new customers who are back in town, and so far it's working.

"We have seen actually a 10 percent increase in business just from last year during the summer," said Valdmets-Harris. "So this past week has been record-breaking for our sales."

And Kerbey Lane isn't the only business hoping to come out of the summer downfall with a bang.

For retail stores it's all about the discounts targeting their main crowd.

"Right now, all UT students can come in and show their I.D. and I will give them 20 percent off," said Michelle Blanchard, a sales associate at Cream Vintage clothing store located on Guadalupe Street across the street from campus.

Business owners say they have seen as much as a 60 percent spike in sales since last week.

And while it's time for students to head back to the classroom, for these businesses, they've learned a lesson too -- on how to appreciate the back-to-school rush.