!["[The] 14 to 16 weeks of the summer season, it's a very short period but that's what their year is based on," town leaders said.](https://media.newscentermaine.com/assets/NCM/images/b2505e54-cf3e-4938-85dc-09f57870dbc2/20240522T231738/b2505e54-cf3e-4938-85dc-09f57870dbc2_1920x1080.jpg)
OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — With warm weather on the way, businesses in the Old Orchard Beach area are already gearing up for a successful summer tourism season.
Thanks to several economic drivers, workers say they are sensing a busy season ahead. Nolan Rice, who works at Pier French Fries, says he's already seen several tourists come pick up a bite to eat ahead of the Memorial Day weekend.
"It's been a couple of years since COVID and everything so, everyone is back down here now," Rice said. "There's a lot of Canadians here so far and so I'm excited; it seems like it's going to be one of the busier summers yet to be honest with you."
Supporting the small businesses in OOB has been a priority to the town for years. To help manage customer traffic, Town Manager Diana Asanza says all parking along Old Orchard Street will now be 30 minute business parking.
"[The] 14 to 16 weeks of the summer season, it's a very short period but that's what their year is based on. Year after year, businesses thrive," Asanza said.
Public parking will still be available along Milliken Street and by the Veterans Memorial Park.
To help fill in employment gaps, Asanza says many businesses have found success partnering with international students.
"We have a very large J1 presence here. We have a great program for the students [and] we partner with the Chamber of Commerce," Asanza added.
Another way business finds its way to OOB is by the success of the Amtrak Downeaster line's stop just a couple feet away from the beach. Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority spokesperson Taylor Belanger says since it's start in 2004, the stop has seen more than a 100 percent increase in ridership.
"We want folks that live here to be able to have the resources to be able to enjoy spaces like Old Orchard Beach," Belanger said. "And we want visitors to see and do more when they're here in the state, and providing low price passes helps us do that."
If you're planning on taking the Downeaster line to OOB, Belanger recommends to make a reservation ahead of time as trains do fill up quickly.