Local businesses enjoyed a bountiful Presidents Day weekend.

Sheila O’Neil, who along with her husband and partner Robert Ewashko, own the Gilded Cupid Bed and Breakfast at 40 W. Broadway in Jim Thorpe, said they were grateful for the influx of guests.

“The streets were packed here in Jim Thorpe,” O’Neil said. “We were booked.”

O’Neil said that’s exactly what businesses need this time of year.

“In the middle of the winter, that really helps the whole financial situation.”

It wasn’t just her business that benefited, O’Neil said.

“I think that everything was well received here; there were ice sculptures all through town, the merchants were open and some had specials going,” she said. “We tried to go out at night and every restaurant was packed; that’s a good thing.”

Business flourished at nearby Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub, at 5 Hazard Square, according to owner Mark Behan.

“Like fall-foliage,” Behan said. “This Saturday was similar to a summer or fall weekend.”

Behan said the pleasant conditions, along with various activities, helped drum up business more than usual.

“I mean, it’s definitely because we had fair weather, the trains were running,” he said.

Much of that was due in large part to this past weekend’s 30th annual Jim Thorpe Winterfest.

Tourism over the weekend was great, according to Michelle Gallagher, Chair of 30th Annual Jim Thorpe Winterfest, who also serves as Vice President for the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency.

“We received guests from all over the Tri-state area, especially with the train coming in from Pittston, Reading, Port Jarvis and Tamaqua for our 30th Annual Winterfest,” Gallagher said. “Business was up by 40%.”

Gallagher attributed that sharp increase to a variety of factors.

“It was a perfect storm of things,” she said. “The Winter Wonderland festival, the amount of television coverage the event received, the amazingly warm weather that we had and the three-day weekend where most people have off on Monday and look to travel to get out of the house.”

Elsewhere, ski resorts such as Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton reaped the rewards of Presidents Day Weekend.

Ashley Seier, director of marketing at Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, said that this particular holiday weekend is one of the busiest of the season for the resort.

“The mountain sees an uptick in traffic Friday through Monday,” Seier said. “To accommodate guests with extra time off from school and work, we offer extended hours for skiing and snow tubing during this time.”

Jack Frost Big Boulder General Manager Trent Poole said that the three-day weekend boded extremely well for both resorts in Kidder Township near White Haven.

“Both resorts - Jack Frost and Big Boulder - are historically popular over Presidents Day weekend at Jack Frost Big Boulder, and with full staffing at both properties, it was a great combination of full resort offerings and guest experience on the slopes,” Poole said. “It felt great to see families, friends, and all other snow sports enthusiasts enjoying the sunshine and great conditions on the mountains. We’re beyond thrilled to see the lodges come to life again with live music, activities, and the great après scene that was one of our traditions pre-pandemic.”

Poole said the resorts are in prime form, with plenty of the season still ahead.

Brian Bossuyt, Executive Vice President, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, said the long weekend proved exceptionally beneficial for tourism.

“Usually this Monday is pretty good, busy,” Bossuyt said. “Usually for schools in New York, New Jersey, this is their winter break.”