Businesses change hours, add staff ahead of RNC

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – As the Republican National Convention (RNC) approaches, businesses in Downtown Milwaukee are preparing.

On Monday, crews put up RNC signage on the front of Fiserv Forum, the first of many convention-related changes coming to Milwaukee.

This was just a few days after the U.S. Secret Service released the official security parameters for the RNC. There are two zones: a hard zone, where only people with credentials can enter, and a larger, soft zone, where pedestrians and cars that pass a security screening can enter.

Just around the corner from the arena, is Trophy Athletics.

"We do trophies for all kinds of leagues and corporate awards," Owner Robert Wagner said.

Third-generation owner Robert Wager tells CBS 58 that he is excited about the RNC, although his business, on MLK Jr. Dr., will not operate like normal because of it despite being in the soft zone.

"Our business probably will be, I'd say, it's going to be a soft close. Like, we're kind of closed, but I'm going to come down here periodically just to see what's going on. You never know who could walk in," he said. "If you contact us, we'll let you know what's going on, and maybe we can work something out."

Just down the street, another business, also in the soft zone, can now figure out its next moves.

"We're open to the public. Everybody should know that, and we expect to be swamped during that time," Owner/Partner of Taco Mike's Cory McClendon said.

McClendon tells CBS 58 that at first, it seemed the restaurant would be in the hard zone, but now knowing they are in the soft zone and accessible to all customers, they can hone in on their RNC needs.

"We can plan a little bit better as far as food orders, as far as staffing," he said.

Over on West Wisconsin Ave. is a Mediterranean restaurant that plans to be open 24/7 during the RNC.

"I have more staff," FiL FiL owner Fady Atari said. "There will be like 20 workers with me."

Atari said his team is gearing up for the non-stop orders they expect from all the people visiting their soft zone restaurant during the convention.

"We're talking about 50,000 people coming to Wisconsin," he said.

The restrictions will impact not only business owners but residents and visitors. For more information on the RNC, click here.