While some business owners say they are unlikely to see a boom in business during the Common Ground Festival, others are bracing for the expected 10,000-12,000 people in the city every night during the seven-day event, which began Monday.

Manager Jennifer Schoon said increased business at the Nuthouse Sports Grill, 420 E. Michigan Ave., located just blocks from the festival's location at Louis F. Adado Riverfront Park, depends on which musical act is performing that night, but, nevertheless, the restaurant will double its staff to handle the expected overflow of customers.

"It's really hit or miss and depends on what the act is. We've certainly seen a nice rush before an act," Schoon said. "We were really busy for the Allman Brothers (Band) last year, but for some acts we're not that busy.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for the downtown area to show people what we have. It's an opportunity for downtown Lansing to shine."

The festival includes music, food and games. It draws almost 100,000 people to downtown Lansing over the seven-day period, according to event officials, who added businesses last year made roughly $5 million off the festival. That's up from the $3.5 million made the previous year, festival spokeswoman Malinda Barr said.

Barr also said Lansing festivals have accounted for 25 days of the past four years, which have raked in approximately $15 million for city businesses.

"That's all the money that's spent because of the festival, plus money that's spent in the city," Barr said.

Many businesses in downtown Lansing stand to profit from the festival, although many say the difference in sales is not always noticeable.

"People might come here and get it before they go to the festival," said Glenda Osterhouse, owner of The Peanut Shop, 117 S. Washington Square. "But we are busy 24-7 so we don't know if it's people coming down from there."

Management with the Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand River Ave., in Lansing, located adjacent from the festival, said it has only seen a slight increase in room reservations, but that the bar at the building's Capitol City Grille was full Monday evening.

The festival helps restaurants more than it does gift stores, such as The Peanut Shop, said Kevin Green, executive director of Lansing's Principal Shopping District.

"Common Ground Festival is an evening event and attracts people to our bars and restaurants, but not as much to our soft goods and merchandise, which aren't open late," Green said.

"We see Common Ground as a major benefit to the downtown, it attracts more people than any other event in the calendar year."

Melting Moments manager Lisa Belen said while she doesn't know how much sales increased in the first year they were at the festival, and doesn't know how much to anticipate this year, she is still bringing plenty of ice cream with her.

"We're bringing tons and tons and hoping to go through it all," Belen said.