For the first time in five years, the Holiday Bowl did not sell out, but local business owners still say they are happy for the business.
At Richard Walker's Pancake House in downtown San Diego on Tuesday morning, there was a line out the door, and almost everyone in it was wearing either orange or green, fans of Oklahoma State and the University of Oregon.
"We left 6 inches of snow in Portland," Roger Martin said. "We're happy to be here where the sun shines and the weather's warm and you can walk around.
The bowl fans aren't only walking -- they are also seeing the sights and spending money.
Walker said business is booming.
"Probably about a third of the customers here are from the games, and it really does make a significant impact on us on every way possible," Walker said.
Still, if you compare Tuesday's game to holiday bowls of the past and it's clear: even college football is not untouchable when it comes to the recession.During the last five years, the Holiday Bowl has been a sold-out game. This year, there are still a few thousand tickets remaining.
Despite the recession, the Holiday Bowl is still expected to have at least a $30 million impact on San Diego County's economy.
