Craven businesses await Country Thunder crowd

Craven businesses are gearing up for the Country Thunder crowds.

Thousands are expected to make their way to Craven for the Country Thunder Music Festival, which is to run from Thursday through Sunday.

Local Esso manager Cynthia Lukovszki said the weekend is a good boost for business.

“It’s stressful just getting everything stocked,” she said Wednesday. “But at the same time, it is a definite boost in business.”

Lukovszki added that stock like water, energy drinks and cigarettes especially fly off the shelves.

“We’re getting in lots of stock, getting everything as organized as possible and making sure I’m not going to run out of anything,” Lukovzski said.

Andy Rees, the manager at the 641 Restaurant in the village, said Country Thunder affects the restaurant business as well, although in a different way.

“It’s kind of a ghost town in the evenings here,” said Rees, who added however that brunches are the busiest time for the restaurant. “I think people maybe want to get out of there and get some air conditioning.”

Rees added that the week leading up to Country Thunder is the busiest with crews working to set up, early campers and commuters heading to the beach.

“People who don’t partake in Country Thunder, they want to get here the week before,” said Rees. “They want to avoid the area.”

Perhaps one business that’s most affected by the crowds is the liquor industry. Suzanne Travis, the owner of the Craven Motor Inn, said she has ordered in more stock in anticipation of more patrons.

“We’ve got extra beer, extra food … Just waiting for the crowd,” said Travis.

Travis added she doesn’t expect this year to be quite as busy as previous years, though, since many trailers are now self-contained. Travis’ bar is also across the highway, and festival-goers now have to walk around the main entrance rather than cross the busy road to get there.

Regardless of the business that Country Thunder might bring, owners are happy about the business.

“It’s kind of exciting,” said Rees. “I kind of thrive in a busy environment.”

Country Thunder is set to feature acts like Dallas Smith, Tim McGraw and Chris Stapleton.