As carloads and vans of NIU alumni travel to DeKalb for Homecoming celebrations, traffic flow through area businesses increases and the local community prospers financially.

NIU graduates return to the community bringing enthusiasm, spouses, children and dollars, and local merchants welcome the event.

Homecoming signals a time when alumni can relive memories of youth and college years for one weekend as they join friends in reunions and mingle at favorite haunts.

“It’s a fun occasion,” said Lance Hansen, owner of Lansirs on Lincoln, 112 E. Lincoln Hwy. “We have been here for 11 years, so we see some old faces.”

John Chilton, owner of Chilton’s Sporting Goods, 250 E. Lincoln Hwy., has been in business for about 40 years and sees many familar faces during Homecoming. “One year varies from another, but they might remember us from 25 years ago,” Chilton said. “They bring their kids downtown and buy NIU sweatshirts and shoes.”

Merchant Frank Bredeson, owner of Bret’s, 248 W. Lincoln Hwy., said he looks forward to the influx of customers returning for Homecoming as a chance to increase sales of women’s clothing.

The greatest economic impact of Homecoming crowds is felt in local bars, where business soars.

“Business doubles,” said Robert Daniels, owner of Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy. Daniels will extend the bar’s hours Saturday night, and Otto’s will open at 6 a.m. to accommodate anticipated crowds.

Glen Goering, owner of McCabes Lounge, 323 E. Lincoln Hwy., said he will open the doors Saturday morning at 8 a.m.

“It’s the biggest day of the year,” he said. “A lot of old friends and alumni visit McCabes. As soon as we open, we get busy. There is a line of people waiting at the door.”

The management at the Crystal Pistol Beach Club, 1312 W. Lincoln Hwy., also anticipates a prosperous weekend. Owner Mike Muzzarelli said if the football team is winning and the weather is nice, business will improve during Homecoming weekend. Muzzarelli plans to kick off the weekend with a Halloween costume party and an open bar for the Greater DeKalb Partnership.

Mike Carpenter, manager of The Liquor Store, 1022 W. Lincoln Hwy., said business improves “any time there is a home football game or social event with liquor involved.” He said restaurants, bars and liquor stores on the west end of DeKalb near the NIU campus benefit from the Homecoming crowds.

“They need places to eat, drink, shop and sleep,” Carpenter said.