Booming business expected for Amory Railroad Festival

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) – A festival honoring the impact the railroad has had on the town of Amory started this week.

Local businesses were busy preparing for what promises to be a big weekend.

At The Coffee Pot, big crowds for the Amory Railroad Festival meant a lot of foot traffic for the business which sits next to Frisco Park.

“We get a lot of new customers, we get people who come from Alabama, or somewhere as close as Hamilton, but haven’t been here,” said Coffee Pot owner Erin Reeves.

The Railroad festival brings in an estimated 50,000 people and while there are plenty of food booths, Reeves knows the event is an opportunity to showcase the Coffee Pot’s hot and cold drinks, other specialties and pastries.

She knew it was important to be prepared.

“We order a lot of inventory, we kind of stock up on as much as we can, and then we have our local grocery stores we can always count on,” said Reeves.

Shann Agains is a well-known fashion boutique in downtown Amory, this year they will take their fashion truck to the festival.

“We get really busy because a lot of families get together during the railroad festival and they come out of their way and come shop together, Easter is coming up so a lot of people are looking for Easter dresses, summer items,” said sales associate at Shann Agains Yazmin Lopez.

Many local businesses will also have booths set up during the Railroad Festival.

The Amory Railroad Festival starts Thursday evening and continues through Sunday.