Business Booming in Rexburg with Temple Open House

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Story Published: Jan 8, 2008 at 10:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2008 at 4:55 PM MST

By Nate Eaton

Tens of thousands will tour the Rexburg LDS temple this month.

Many of them are from out of town and businesses are ecstatic because the visitors are bringing their wallets and spending their money.

It's an average day, lunchtime at Craigo's pizza is normally a little slow when BYU-Idaho isn't in session. But for the past two weeks it's been different.

Kent Jones, Craigo's Pizza: "We've seen a huge increase. Sales are up 25 to 30 percent."

That's because of the LDS temple which is expected to have almost 200,000 visitors over the next month.

Jones: "I've seen people come from as far as Logan and Burley, Idaho bringing youth groups on up to go through the temple. It's been really amazing."

Amazing is just one way businesses are describing the big boom.

Donna Benfield, Rexburg Chamber of Commerce: "It's been wonderful. It's awesome."

The Chamber of Commerce wishes big events like this with so many visitors could be held all the time.

Benfield: "While they're here, you know they're gonna spend the night, you know they're gonna eat out, they fill up with gas and they shop in our local stores."

January is normally a slow month for hotels and motels in and around Rexburg. But the Cottontree Inn is 75 percent booked through the of this month.

Meghan Mullin, Best Western Cottontree Inn: "More people means more money. It's kind of crazy right now just cause everyone is used to it being really slow."

Even after the temple open house is over, businesses are still expecting to see more people because Latter-Day Saints will come from all over the Upper Valley to worship in the building. That should mean good news for the economy.

Jones: "It's a wonderful thing for the economy. The temple blesses so many people in so many different ways including financially. It's a big boost in the economy."

The Twin Falls LDS temple is expected to hold an open house this summer.

The Chamber of Commerce there is closely watching the Rexburg open house to see how the economy in Twin may be impacted with its temple.

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