Local businesses are counting on those attending the Essence Music Festival to help their bottom lines, especially during the summer, a traditionally slow time for New Orleans shops.

Organizers of the festival estimate that nearly 200,000 people come to New Orleans for the “Party with a Purpose.”

In all, they’re expected to have an economic impact of $100-to-$120 million.

"We have a tale of two cities here," Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu said. " The tourism industry is working real hard to get to where it was before. The convention center is working well, the Superdome is working well. The message is that we can handle as many major events as you need."

In fact, some restaurant managers tell Eyewitness News that after 14 years of Essence Fest, they have come to rely on it for a major financial boost.

“Business is great,” said Bacco Restaurant’s Steve Lessing. “We look forward to this every year in the city. It happens every Fourth of July weekend – the crowds are as big as they ever have been, so we're very fortunate to have the business. It's always been a very great event for the city, so we look forward to making a lot of folks happy, serving some great food.”

Restaurant managers said the best time for business during Essence Fest is lunch time because so many people are at the Superdome during the evening.