Restaurants welcome CIAA Tournament fans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — East Charlotte businesses and advocates are excited because one of the city's biggest events is starting in their community.

[LINK: CIAA events]

For the second year in a row, the opening round and quarterfinal CIAA Tournament games are being played at Bojangles' Coliseum on Independence Boulevard.

"It's fantastic that east Charlotte can be a part of all the excitement," Councilman Matt Newton, who represents the area, said. "We have wonderful weather out, wonderful fans. There are going to great games. This is what I hope will be a tradition for us in east Charlotte."

Newton is thrilled that this year, CIAA and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority officials are promoting east Charlotte.

CRVA officials created a brochure for guests that contains dozens of east Charlotte restaurant recommendations, and CIAA launched an app that is promoting nearby businesses, hotels and restaurants.

Portofino's on Eastway Drive is one of the restaurants being promoted. Manager Mauro Scotto said more people have been coming into his restaurant because the games are only a five-minute drive away. He added an extra server and more workers to prepare for the crowds.

"We love to see more people in the restaurant," Scotto said. "Welcome to Charlotte. Charlotte is a beautiful place."

Fans are enjoying the games at the Coliseum too. Warren Dobbins has been coming to the tournament regularly since the 1950s and said the setting is perfect for the games.

"It is really a lot of fun," Dobbins said. "I like the smallness of it. CIAA is a family-type thing."

The games will be played in the Bojangles Coliseum again on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, the games will shift to the Spectrum Center in uptown.

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