'Swift City': Glendale to temporarily change its name for Taylor Swift
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The city of Glendale says it wants to do "something highly unusual" before Taylor Swift kicks off her tour at State Farm Stadium.
The city is going to temporarily change its name to "Swift City" in honor of the music superstar. The name change goes into effect during her concert dates on March 17 and 18.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers announced the city's temporary name change on Monday, March 13.
"There is no need to calm down, we’re fearless and doing something highly unusual to celebrate the fact that Taylor’s concerts start right here!" read a statement from the city. "We know all too well that she’s one of the most influential artists of her generation and we are writing our own love story for her and greeting every Swiftie in style!"
‘All hands on deck’
Local restaurants are getting in on the fun, too, by adding drinks with themed-names.
SALT will have a "Bad Blood" drink, and Bodega will have one called "Midnight Rain."
Just last month, Westgate restaurants welcomed sports fans, and now it's all about Taylor Swift fans.
"The Super Bowl is definitely a big event here. There are so many people with all of the events out in the plaza as well in Westgate, but the Taylor Swift fans are sure to bring a lot of fun here, too," says marketing director for Salt Entertainment Group, Karli Adam.
She says back-to-back sold-out Taylor Swift shows will be comparable to the Super Bowl when it comes to how busy restaurants like SALT, Bodega and Carousel will be.
"When we have events at the stadium, especially sold-out ones, there are lines out of our doors. We'll have all hands on deck here at SALT, Bodega and Carousel to help," Adam said.
She thinks the crowd will also be comparable to the last time Taylor Swift kicked off her tour in Glendale back in 2018.
"It'll probably be something similar if not bigger," she said.
No matter what kind of business it brings, Adam says restaurants are prepared.
"We're already right next to the stadium, so it's super close and fun place to celebrate before and after the concert."
Hotels selling fast
"This concert is on par with everything we did for the Super Bowl," says Danielle Dutsch with the Glendale Convention and Visitors Bureau.
You heard that right.
Almost every hotel room around State Farm stadium is booked Friday and Saturday night. The Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa charged $1,500 dollars a night at its peak.
A demand this city knows all too well.
As fast as the housekeepers can clean them, we sell them," says Gerald De La O with Hotel Serene.
They increased rates more than a hundred dollars to meet the demand. They’re sold out, too.
"She’s huge. She’s the biggest in the world right now," De La O said.
Dutsch says most of the hotels in the area are sold out.
"They’re actually sold out. We’ve got Aloft, we’ve the Renaissance. Tons of people will actually travel to see Tay Tay, and so we’ve got fans that will make a significant impact on our Glendale economy from a tourism perspective," she explained.