Organizers of Pride say this year’s attendance is shattering records and local businesses are cashing in on the celebration.
For "The French Table" owner, Wilfred Lefebvre, the Pride festival has kept his quaint restaurant filled with customers.
“Super busy!” he told NBC 7. “Really, really big for us. We had the biggest line in front of the restaurant we ever had!"
The French Table has only been open in Hillcrest for two years. Lefebvre said the festival brings in customers who otherwise would've never been to his shop.
“We came down from Riverside this morning and we missed the parade for a variety of reasons, but we came down today, Sunday, to go to the Pride festival,” French Table patron Terry Henry, said.
Pride organizers said they've seen a 72 percent jump in ticket sales and attendance is up 40 percent.
“I can see a lot of the businesses that were eateries and bars, they were already packed and you can't even get in the door,” Henry added.
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Lefebvre said this year's crowd has doubled his sales from last year's Pride festival.
“We were expecting a lot of people but not like such a big group,” he said. “It’s been really, really massive. I mean the Pride, for San Diego, for business, is really a crazy day for us."
He said he will change restaurant plans to accommodate even larger crowds next year and hopes many of his new customers will come back another day. “We wish every day was a Pride day,” he added.
More than 250 contingents marched in the parade Saturday ( including NBC 7 and Telemundo 20) – even more than last year.
The official attendance numbers won’t be available until next week.
