Spring Break has been going on in Panama City for generations, and the local businesses like Harpon Harry’s have thrived for that specific reason.
According to one bartender, an average Spring Break night for Harpon Harry’s brings maximum capacity of 4500 hundred every night, as well as bartenders taking home an upward of $600 dollars in tips per night.
However, it’s not just the bars that receive massive amounts of business during spring break and Spring Weekend. KnightNews.com went into a local mom and pop style diner who were so busy that they did not have time to talk.
The merchandise stores like ‘Beaches’ also depend on the spring break season to keep their business alive. They diversify their clothing merchandise by putting popular pop culture references such as “YOLO”, and “Started from the bottom” in order to boost t-shirt sales.
“It’s important to keep up on pop culture references when you own a store like this. If we have the newest, most popular sayings on our shirts, we will end up getting the most business.” Jason, an employee of the Beaches t-shirt shop told KnightNews.com.
Most recently, popular spring break destinations have been shying away from embracing the title of a “Spring Break Party” city. Jason from Beaches told us that Panama City has stopped advertising for Spring Break. A bartender at Harpon Harry’s said that this doesn’t matter.
Video by: Sam Switkes
“Spring Break is notorious here, it’s been going on for 80 years. My parents came here for spring break, there is no need to advertise for it.”
Saturday is the final night of Spring Weekend, with Laidback Luke headlining.
