Local businesses gear up for papal's visit

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Local businesses are in the final stages of preparation for the biggest weekend of the year.

Retailers are hashing out details including staffing, hours of operation and special merchandise.

Valerie Safran, owner of eight businesses on 13th Street between Chestnut and Locust, said she is doubling pope merchandise at her gift store "open house" event.

"I had no doubt we would be open, we always planned to be open," said Safran. "This is why you live in the city, it's exciting to have that kind of event."

Duross & Langel, business neighbor to Safran, will also be open, offering pope soap.

"The store is staying open. The salon & yoga studio will close," said Steve Duross of Duross & Langel.

Duross said all of his employees plan to work that weekend, but they're playing it by ear.

"If we're able to accommodate as many people want to come in, we'll stay open late," said Duross. "If it ends up being too much, we can always close the door and call it a day."

The World Meeting of Families organizers launched the #OpenInPHL campaign handing out signs and buttons to stores and restaurants, even going as far as to offer a sweepstakes for a trip to Rome to give businesses incentive to welcome the masses.

Just in time for the change of season, and flood of tourists, retailers like Boyds said they have just received inventory for their fall collections.

"It's really our Christmas this time of year," said Ralph Yaffe of Boyds.

Normally closed on Sundays, the store has altered their schedule leading up to and during the papal visit to accommodate customers and Pope Francis.

"We decided to close that Saturday, the 26th. However, we are going to open next Sunday, the 20th," said Yaffe. "We have all of our fall things in, and we think it's a great opportunity for people who want to come in and shop to come in that day."