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College football's return provides boost for local business

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bars across Westport were packed Saturday because Missouri, Kansas State and Kansas returned to the gridiron. 

“This is our busiest time of the year — Saturday's for college, Sunday for the NFL,” said Preston Ashton, who works at Ale House. 

Westport is popular at night.

Now that college football is back, the party starts when the sun is up as well. 

“We have Iowa State fans, Kansas fans — well, some come in here,” Ashton said. 

A football-packed Saturday means an economic boost to several Kansas City entertainment districts. 

“Every Saturday there is a Missouri game, we have something going on,” said Maddison Johnson, who works at Harpo’s. 

For Mizzou faithful, it's the place to be and many showed up early to see the team romp 51-14 against the University of Tennessee-Martin.

“The crowd changes up through the seasons, but it gets very busy on Saturday for Missouri games," Johnson said. "The crowd at the Missouri game is unbeatable, especially here at Harpo's. People come from Columbia and say they go to Harpo's for every game.”