Businesses expect to cash in during BCS

MIAMI (WALA) - Businesses along one of the country's most popular strips are preparing ahead of the BCS National Championship game in Miami.

Exclusive clubs, bars, and lounges all along South Beach are getting ready to accommodate thousands of Alabama and Notre Dame fans this week - many of whom have already begun hitting the town ahead of Monday's game.

"I don't think a lot of folks in Alabama have ever seen anything like this," said Antonio Laracuente, operations manager at Mango's tropical cafe on the famous Ocean drive strip.

He said the nightclub has been preparing for weeks now.

"We're psyched. I mean we're expected huge huge crowds. This is going to be one of the biggest games we've seen in a long long time as far as national championships go," Laracuente said. "Just an example the city is going to be shutting down the streets that weekend just to accommodate the huge traffic that is expected in town so we're getting ready for that."

Even vendors selling all sorts of BCS swag are getting in on the action.

John Brovold, owner of JEB Enterprises, set up his Alabama-Notre Dame shop inside a restaurant and lounge, smack in the middle of South Beach.

He said he is excited to see all the fans hitting the city street.