Their presence is already making itself known.
About half of the United States Olympic Committee's 400 employeeshave moved in to the organization's new headquarters at 27 S. TejonSt., and downtown is feeling the energy.
USOC Director of Communications Mark Jones confirmed what hasbecome increasingly obvious to nearby restaurants and shops.
About 130 or 140 downtown employees have been added to the mix,with more to come.
'Everyone is thrilled to be downtown. The new building certainlyallows us operating efficiencies which are crucial, but the abilityto walk across the street for coffee or around the corner for asandwich is a great amenity,' he said.
Sonterra and Slayton's managing partner Matt Sharb didn't wastetime putting up a sign welcoming the newcomers.
'They're definitely making their presence known. Our wait staffsees their badges and tries to track the number of USOC guests weserve. So far, during this first week, we've seen about 20 or 30 aday in our restaurants,' he said, adding that his business is up16.5 percent for March on a year-over-year basis.
Former Team Handball Olympian and Concept Restaurants owner LukeTravins says many of the USOC's employees, formerly headquartered atthe Olympic Training Center campus, have been good customers foryears.
'They're not new to town, they've just relocated - but we loveit,' he said. And like Sharb, he says business has been picking upthis spring after a fairly flat first quarter.
Joe and Robin Frode own the La Baguette Bakery and Cafe. So farthey've seen a few customers sporting USOC badges and say March andApril business has generally picked up.
'We didn't really know when they were moving in. But I did talkto a woman the other day wearing sweats and heard her mention theOlympic Training Center - and I realized they were finallydowntown,' Robin Frode said.
