Durbinsanity continues to affect Santa Cruz, and it’s having an impact on the local economy. A Sentinel report laid out the details.
It’s long been a tradition on American Idol that the three remaining contestants go back to their hometowns to perform before an adoring crowd and receive a text from the judges naming the song that they will be performing on the show. And so it was … sort of. Scotty McCreery was texted while wearing an apron and standing on the counter of a local grocery store. Lauren Alaina was texted while singing in a field to about 100 local fans. Haley Reinhart, the last remaining rocker, was texted in a limo as she drove down the highway. She, of course, is the bad girl of the show. She wasn’t even wearing her seat belt!
In each case it was a far cry from the 30,000 people who showed up to see James Durbin at the Boardwalk after he was voted off the show.
Durbinsanity continues to affect Santa Cruz, and it’s having an impact on the local economy. A <a href=”http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_18091384″ title=”Sentinel report”>Sentinel report laid out the details.
One thing James wanted to do when he got back to town was to visit Zoccoli’s Deli and have his favorite sandwich, the Hawaiian. It’s a combination of grilled chicken breast and pineapple slices, topped with honey mustar d instead of mayo. But don’t bother go to Zoccoli’s to ask for a Hawaiian. It’s now known as the Durbinator, a tribute to James and his passion for wrestling. Fans of Durbin can order the sandwich and sit at the very table he signed while chomping down on the Durbinator.
On Saturday, the Dream Inn was sold out. Many of the guests were sipping Durbin Daquiris at the hotel restaurant, Aquarius . Robin Donovan, the hotel’s general manager, believes that Durbin mania will help keep bookings high all the way into the summer. Durbin boosted business during his performance on Saturday, with one family that operates food concessions on the Boardwalk saying that business was up 50 percent this weekend.
As for the cold, hard stats, the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council says that people visiting Santa Cruz came in groups of three and spent an average of $100 per group. It was a much-needed boon to the economy, still struggling from the recession. Most of all, it should leave people asking, “So how’s that supermarket gig working out for you, Scotty?”
Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
