With a large crowd expected for Monday's Hall of Fame Game and parade, many business owners expect the weekend to be a boon for the local economy.

"I think it will provide a tremendous influx of money into the town," said Jeff Foster, owner of Legends Are Forever. Foster thinks that more than 25,000 fans will show up, even though Doubleday Field only seats 10,000. "People will come out of curiosity."

Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce director Polly Renckens puts the estimate at a more modest 11,000.

"Most of our accommodations in the immediate area are filled for Sunday and Saturday, and Monday is also strong, so we should see a favorable economic impact," Renckens said.

Owners of several other baseball merchandise stores also expressed hope for the weekend, several of whom bought extra Red Sox merchandise in anticipation.

"This will give us a boost," said Mike Fassett, owner of National Pastime.

In addition to the large crowds, Bob Tricomi, owner of On Deck Circle, said that having the retail season start a week earlier helps all the businesses. He said the retail season usually starts after Memorial Day weekend and having the Hall of Fame Game weekend earlier is a good thing.

"It's one weekend, but it does help," Tricomi said.

Not everyone expects a boost, however.

"When the Hall of Fame Game was the Monday after the induction, consumers looked at it as a mini-vacation," said Jim Florczak, owner of Where It All Began Bat Co. "Now the game being taken away from the three-day festivities, I feel is hurtful to the Cooperstown retail community."

Todd Howard, owner of The Cooperstown Clubhouse also isn't sure if the weekend will meet expectations. "We got high hopes, but you never know with the kids still in school."

While many owners of the baseball merchandise stores are enthusiastic, owners of non-baseball related stores don't expect much of a boost.

"Generally, baseball people are just interested in baseball," said Marti Jex, owner of Ellsworth and Sill. She said she gets some extra business by virtue of the "onslaught" of people, but not a lot.

Willis Monie, owner of Willis Monie Books agrees.

"It doesn't affect us very much," he said. "People come for the game, they don't come to buy books."

Although they may not get a ton of extra business, Jex said the weekend is still fun for them anyway.

"People are in such good humor," she said. "It's a very neat weekend."