Restaurants working to bring customers back after gas explosion

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Businesses in Springfield's Entertainment District are still struggling after the gas explosion more than three weeks ago.

Three buildings in the area of the explosion have to be demolished, and the former Scores Gentlemen’s Club was leveled in the blast. Threre are, however, many businesses, restaurants and bars along Worthington Street that are open and want you to come.

The Student Prince on nearby Fort Street saw a hit in business after the explosion. Manager Rudi Scherff said that many people assumed they were not open, so they haven't been coming down.

This sort of misunderstanding is particularly bad at this time of year; one that is normally among their busiest.

“The Saturday after Thanksgiving is usually one of our biggest days of the year and it was fairly slow. Still now three weeks after this explosion, we keep getting phone calls and people don't realize that we had no damage here,” Scherff said.

In order to bring people back downtown, the Springfield Business Improvement district is offering a new promotion. If you snap a picture of your receipt at a participating restaurant, and send it to info@springfielddowntown.com , you’re entered to win a prize.

Participating restaurants are:
The Student Prince/The Fort- 8 Fort St.
Theodore’s- 201 Worthington St.
Adolfo’s- 254 Worthington St.
350 Grill- 350 Worthington St.