Businesses reflect on impact of International Black Theatre Festival [Video]

WINSTON-SALEM. THE INTERNATIONAL BLACK THEATER FESTIVAL IS WRAPPING UP, AND OFFICIALS SAY OVER THE YEARS, THE FESTIVAL HAS BROUGHT IN MORE THAN $200 MILLION TO WINSTON-SALEM SINCE ITS START IN 1989. AS WXII 12, ERIN BURNETT SHOWS US FOR BUSINESS OWNERS, IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN AN ECONOMIC BOOST. THE NORTH CAROLINA BLACK REPERTORY COMPANY SAYS THAT THEY EXPECT THAT THE INTERNATIONAL BLACK THEATER FESTIVAL WILL BRING IN OVER $10 MILLION TO THE CITY THIS YEAR ALONE. BUSINESSES TELL ME THAT WHILE THIS IS A GREAT BOOST, THE MONEY’S NOT THE ONLY THING THAT’S BEEN GOOD FOR THEIR BOTTOM LINE. IT’S MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT. I WAS SO HAPPY WE WERE PASSING. BUSINESS IS BOOMING, CHEF. AND CO-OWNER OF MISS AURA’S KITCHEN, STEPHANIE TYSON, SAYS THAT HER BUSINESS HAS GROWN WITH THE FESTIVAL. THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE OPENED WAS. I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE FESTIVAL. I WALKED OUT AND THERE WAS …