Buffalo Businesses Cashing-In On Keanu Reeves Movie

by Andrew Pierrotti

Chef's restaurant is no stranger to the stars. "One star talks to another...we've kinda become the place to go," said Lou Billittier, owner of Chef's.

His restaurant's walls are filled with pictures of celebrities, like Regis and Maury Povich visiting the Buffalo restaurant.

Keanu Reeves likes it so much, his movie hired Chefs to feed the film crew. "It's great for us in many ways. Obviously, we make money with the crew coming here to eat and with us going there to cater it, but also people are coming out saying maybe he'll go back to Chefs," Billittier said.

Chef's isn't the only Buffalo business benefiting from the film. The Hyatt Hotel has sixty rooms booked with movie staff members.

"Typically, as we head into the holidays, it slows down a little bit. Right now, this is a nice little boost for business," said Michael Marsch, general manager of the Hyatt.

"They leave a lot of money behind that's for sure," said Buffalo Film Commissioner Tim Clark. He says the movie's economic impact could be in the millions.