BLACKSBURG, Va. – Every summer, Blacksburg loses a significant portion of its population when Virginia Tech students head home for break. Downtown businesses have long learned to adjust — but this summer, several say the slowdown is hitting harder than usual.
“I assure you, this is the roughest summer we have ever had,” said Brian Palmer, owner of Hokie House.
Palmer pointed to a calendar that offers little relief outside of summer: “They get five weeks for Christmas, spring break, Thanksgiving break, and fall break. It’s like five months of the year that these kids are gone.”
Local economy leans heavily on Virginia Tech
The connection between the university’s student body and downtown Blacksburg’s bottom line is no secret. Justin Bailey, executive chef at Maroon Door, said the departure of students is the single biggest driver of the summer slowdown…