AC/DC concert spurs impromptu businesses

Many impromptu businesses are springing up around the Magnetic Hill area as Thursday's AC/DC concert and the prospect of 80,000 rock fans descending on Moncton draw near.

From parking to babysitting, residents are making sure the needs of thousands of concertgoers are covered — for a price.

Jennifer Carlin is one of the growing number of Moncton residents hoping to cash in on the legendary Australian rock band's outdoor concert.

On Thursday night, she hopes to cram 35 cars in her yard, which is about a 15-minute walk to the concert site, at a cost of $20 per vehicle.

"We just noticed that people around the area were doing the same thing. We'd let friends park here before, so we thought, why not?" Carlin said.

"We want to take the kids camping in a couple weeks, so we thought, what better way to raise a little bit of money to go?"

Existing businesses branching out

It isn't just regular people looking to profit from their close proximity to the concert venue. Some established business owners are also branching out.

Janet Everett, co-owner of Magnetic Hill Winery, said the traffic from the concert drives away her normal clientele.

To make up for the loss, Everett offers parking, plus a pre-show wine-and-cheese event to lure in new customers.

"Our goal is to sell wine. So we might as well just capture the people who want to drink wine," Everett said.

"So doing it as a package deal, that's what we were able to do."

There are even services being offered to people too young to see the concert for themselves.

Some babysitters in Moncton are advertising overnight rates of $50 or more.

Karen Young is offering babysitting during the show, but she isn't putting a price tag on her services.

"If parents needed the help, it's basically what they wanted to offer," she said.

"And if they can't afford much, then I'll be there to help out and go from there."