The high-profile nature of the upcoming U.S. Vice Presidential Debate has prompted area restaurants to make some choices in response to the event in hopes of attracting more customers. In some instances, this means altering an advertising strategy or making a substantive addition to available offerings.

At The Hot Dog Bar, on 152 South St., co-owners Louis Anderson and Ashley Campbell have put a display outside their establishment that hints at the diverse options present on their menu while tying in references to the presidential candidates. Anderson said this was specifically done in light of the upcoming debate.

He also said the restaurant’s hours will expand to better accommodate visitors who are in town for the big event. On Monday and Tuesday, The Hot Dog Bar will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m., a change from the usual 11 a.m.-9 p.m. schedule. Anderson said they might even open Sunday, a day the restaurant is normally closed.

At 101 Midtown Ave., the sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt shop has added a Coca-Cola refrigerator with bottled soft drinks in time for the expected increase in business from debate-related visitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The impact the debate’s presence in Farmville will have on area businesses has drawn the attention of high-level managers of those businesses. Charlesa Sargent, an employee at the Farmville sweetFrog and a sophomore nursing student at Longwood, said a sweetFrog district manager will be coming to the shop Monday and Tuesday to make sure everything runs smoothly.