Horseshoe Casino impacting downtown Cleveland restaurants, hotels

CLEVELAND - Since its doors opened in May, Cleveland's Horseshoe Casino brought in $42.6 million after all bets were paid. While the casino opening exceeded expectations of some downtown businesses, other establishments still relied on visitors to other entertainment venues for their revenues.

Opening weekend for the casino meant big business at Flannery's Pub on Prospect Avenue. Since then, business tapered off, unless there was an event at Quicken Loans Arena or Progressive Field.

"The flood gates didn't open as much as we were kind of hoping for but it's still doing well," said Flannery's Pub operations manager Kyle Kleinedler. "It's still boosting downtown. It's still bringing a new group of people downtown that haven't been down in a few years."

Marriott Residence Inn on Prospect Avenue downtown saw a 30 percent increase in reservations on weekends since the casino opened.

"Hopefully throughout the rest of the summer and throughout the wintertime when business slows down, the casino can keep the people coming to downtown Cleveland," said Marriott Residence Inn front desk clerk Brandon Jones.

George Tsambounieris has been a street vendor at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Ontario Street for 28 years. His business depended on how lucky visitors were at Horseshoe Casino across the street.

"It's a little better since the casino opened but if the people have money when they come out it's good, but sometimes they don't."

Paul and Hilda Herrera, of Massillon, celebrated Hilda's birthday with their first visit to Horseshoe Casino Cleveland on Tuesday. While they had lunch at the casino buffet on this trip, they did some walking around outside checking out the restaurants near the casino. They also did some dining research for their next visit.

"With all the restaurants here, we kind of hesitated to eat at the buffet. Next time, we will probably look at the restaurants," said Paul.