In a letter addressed to WSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk and forwarded to The Daily Evergreen, the Pullman Chamber of Commerce denounced the potential move of the Apple Cup from Martin Stadium and Husky Stadium to Qwest Field in Seattle.

Tammy Lewis, executive director of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce, said she was surprised with the response she received from many of the businesses in town.

She said in addition to the obvious effects on businesses such as Crimson & Gray and local hotels, grocery stores like Dissmore’s IGA could be greatly affected.

“We just started calling around to those businesses we knew would have some impact,” Lewis said. “I was surprised, some of the comments we got back from some of those folks.” The effects of the possible move will be seen and felt by more than just Pullman residents and business owners, said Tom Handy, Pullman Chamber of Commerce president and owner of the Old Post Office Wine Cellar and Gallery.

He said the effects will extend to places such as Lewiston and Clarkston, where people often choose to stay for the Apple Cup weekend. Even the gas stations in Washtucna will feel the change, he added.

“I think that it’ll have a pretty big effect on all the hospitality businesses,” Handy said. “When that many people come to town and spend a whole weekend, it touches a lot of businesses.” One of the most shocking statements in the letter pertained to Crimson & Gray. A quote from a representative of the retailer reported a sales increase of 2,000 percent around Apple Cup time.

According to the letter, Safeway’s sales double those of other home game weekends and triple those of non-game weekends. Dissmore’s IGA sales usually increase by anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 during the Apple Cup week.

As far as gas stations go, research done by the Chamber of Commerce shows Chevron sells 7,000 to 8,000 extra gallons of gas during the Apple Cup.

Lewis said the obvious effects will be felt by retailers who specialize in services that benefit visitors.

“It’s primarily your retailers (being affected),” Lewis said. “It’s hotels, restaurants, gift shops, those types of businesses that really cater to visitors.” One of these gift shops is Wild Ivy, owned by Cynthia Garrett.

“We would of course miss the traffic that comes to town. Our business is no different than any other business in Pullman,” Garrett said. “Apple Cup weekend is of course a big weekend for us, and we would hate to see it be moved to the other side.” Garrett said she believes the move will affect customers of Pullman businesses who look forward to the trip every other year.

“In all fairness, I think the customers look forward to coming to Pullman and seeing our unique businesses,” she said.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, there are about 770 hotel rooms available throughout Pullman, Moscow and Colfax. At an average of $200 per night, this equals out to $308,000 in possible hotel losses for two nights.

The chamber’s letter mentions the fact that some of the hotel business lost in the Apple Cup’s move to Qwest Field will be replaced when the Gridiron Classic currently played in Seattle comes back to Pullman. However, according to the chamber, the returns will not be substantial because that game usually takes place on Labor Day weekend.

With that game’s returns taken into account, the chamber reports that estimated losses for the Hilltop Inn would be about $22,500. The Holiday Inn’s estimated losses would be about $55,000, and the Quality Inn’s would be about $10,000.

The Chamber of Commerce closed the letter by urging Sterk to consider the broad effects of moving the Apple Cup elsewhere.

“The university and the athletics program get a $2 million guarantee for the game, if played in Seattle, but think about what you lose, both in local support and goodwill at home,” the chamber wrote.