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COLUMBIA -- It’s hard to imagine that just days ago, Five Points in Columbia was flooded with people.

“The exposure alone was fantastic for us,” says owner Kelly Tabor of Good for the Sole.  “People had come in that had never been in the store and said they were going to come back.”

The Five Points businessman welcomed nearly a 1,000 people into his modest-sized store on during the event, which is 10 times the amount of customers he gets on any other Saturday.

Also boasting big sales was Yesterdays Restaurant and Bar.

“This year has been better than the last couple of years,” said co-owner Scottie MacRae.

MacRae has seen St. Pat’s in Five Points grow throughout the past 26 years.

“It’s pretty amazing to think that this thing started in our little parking lot in the back and has now grown to be this massive event,” said MacRae.

As of Monday afternoon, the final numbers had not been calculated, according to officials, but it’s estimated that 35,000 people attended the event.

“When the bars, restaurants, and retailers do really well, it’s great day,” said Merritt McHaffie of the Five Points Association.

With the real St. Patrick’s Day still to come on Wednesday, business owners alike are hoping the luck of the Irish will stick around a little bit longer.