Merchants fear strictures for convention

Richard Lacasse has heard all the promises from organizers of this summer's Democratic National Convention -- the so-called ripple effects, the economic boon for Boston. But when he thinks about Boylston Street having no parking on both sides, as required under the city's security and traffic plan, his skepticism is hard to hide.

"A lot of our business is people who pull up and park, or people who call us from their car phones, saying, `Can you make me something up in five minutes?' " said Lacasse, owner of Winston Flowers on Boylston Street. "This is going to kill all of that," he said of the parking ban. "Most of my regular customers are probably taking off and leaving town like the mayor told them to."

Mayor Thomas M. Menino sought to calm such fears by appearing at a Back Bay Association breakfast yesterday, but its merchants and those in the North End and around the FleetCenter remain worried.

With restricted parking, closed streets, and busy schedules among visitors, some small-business owners anticipate the worst of both worlds -- regular business scared away and out-of-towners choosy with their dollars.

Asked whether delegates would need to purchase flowers, Lacasse paused. "I really don't know," he said.

"I think it will be a boost for restaurants, but not for home furnishings," said Jerry Arcari, owner of Landry & Arcari, a rug and carpeting store on Stuart Street.

He said he has decided to close, believing that suburban customers won't attempt to get to a store near Boston Common that week.

As part of convention security plans, North Station and Interstate 93 by the FleetCenter, the convention venue, will be closed from 4 p.m. to midnight. The Bulfinch Triangle, bounded by Merrimac, Causeway, and North Washington streets, will be closed to regular vehicles, including delivery trucks.

Despite the restrictions, the subways will be operating, although the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rejected a request by the state's congressional delegation yesterday to provide free service during the convention. The T is already making special arrangements for discounts to delegates for a two-week period that includes the four-day convention.

Parking will be prohibited far away from the venue -- on Beacon Street, and on Boylston from Massachusetts Avenue to Arlington Street, in part to keep shuttle-bus traffic moving.

Menino said he was optimistic about an across-the-board windfall. Areas like the Back Bay rely on foot traffic, he said, and delegates will have plenty of time to spend money before convention activities begin each evening. "People won't go home on Thursday; they'll stay for a couple extra days," said Menino. "I honestly believe these four days are very important to the city's tourism business."

Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, said that while residents may leave during convention week, other summer weeks might be busier as a result. The long-term effects of the convention will ultimately benefit retailers, she said.

City Councilor Michael P. Ross, who represents the Back Bay, said the parking ban was a safety issue. He said that many delegates will be confined to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods near their hotels, putting them near shopping and dining.

Some business owners said they anticipate a revenue boost from the 35,000 people expected in the city that week. One is Mike Higgins, manager of Cigar Masters on Boylston Street. "It's not an average business. Here, you can drink. You can smoke. We're open late," said Higgins.

Some merchants are viewing convention week with a mixture of anticipation and dread.

"How am I going to get to work?" asked Filippo Frattaroli, owner of Filippo Ristorante on Causeway Street. "How will I get deliveries?

Frattaroli, who lives in Winchester, said a few groups have booked his second-floor, 230-person banquet room that overlooks the Zakim bridge for the convention. He declined to name the groups. Even so, he said a lull in regular business and close proximity to blocked roadways could mean a net loss in profits.