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DOWNTOWN — The sky was dreary, overcast and cloudy, but a sun-colored presence hoped to brighten the day for customers lining up at Primo's Deli Cafe.
"Thank you for coming to Primo's," said Robert Arnold, opening the door in a yellow long-sleeved shirt, ball cap, khaki slacks and a smile that flashed a gold crown. "Please enjoy yourself."
The strange thing is, Arnold doesn't work here.
His uniform should be familiar to downtown workers and residents because he works as a guide for the Tampa Downtown Partnership. As one of 10 "ambassadors," he helps tourists and visitors with questions, directions, suggestions and also serves as a liaison between businesses and the partnership.
But beginning this week, the guides added another duty: door men and women for downtown businesses.
Their job is to help restaurants and retail stores drum up more customers by creating a "welcoming atmosphere," according to the partnership.
Known as the "Greeter Guide" program, the partnership makes a downtown guide available to one downtown business from noon to 1 p.m. each day. Businesses must reserve a guide in advance and are only allowed one per month. So far, more than 30 businesses have requested the free service, completely booking November and December, according to Lynda Remund, the partnership's director of district operations.
"We walk the streets seven days a week and patrol the area, and we're constantly greeting people," Remund said. "But we wanted to give back to the merchants and let them know we're there and help them become more profitable."
The downtown guides came up with the idea, thinking they could better reach more downtown visitors while strengthening the partnership's relationship with its member businesses.
"It gives customers a chance to see what we do in our job," said Arnold, who has helped lost tourists find their parked rental cars, helped couples find restaurants and pointed visitors to area landmarks. "A lot of people downtown don't have a clue what we're about. It also lets the businesses know we are here for them."
The reaction, anecdotally at least, seems impressive.
One man in a suit said he would come to Primo's more often as he left, and Arnold swung open doors for more customers ordering $6.90 Greek salads and $6.55 Cuban sandwiches.
JoAnna Freeman, 37, works on the retail team of a downtown door manufacturer and thinks that guides like Arnold help her grow accustomed to her new surroundings. She moved to Brandon in May from Austin, Texas.
"When you have someone who can direct you and lead you where you need to go or just give you a good sense of downtown, it makes a huge difference," she said.
Whether guides help downtown sales remains to be seen, but merchants and restaurateurs say it can't hurt. "It's worth a try for their benefit and our benefit," said John Sansome, manager of Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar, "We're pretty busy, but who couldn't use some help in these times?"
Justin George can be reached at (813) 226-3368 or jgeorge@sptimes.com.
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