Yesterday's first day of spring has students and local business owners gearing up for the change in season.

Hal McCullough, owner of Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave., said the nicer weather draws more business to the restaurant because of the available outside seating.

"I think everybody has cabin fever from being kind of cooped up during the wintertime," he said. "They just want to come out and sit outside and relax and enjoy a little food and beverage."

McCullough said that although outdoor seating is more popular when the weather is warmer, the seating is available throughout the year.

"We open the outdoor café when anyone wants to sit outside, so there's no starting date and no closing date," he said.

Ed Hess, head cook at the Gingerbread Man, 130 Hiester St., said the outdoor seating the restaurant offers gives people the chance to enjoy the warm weather.

"Once the weather gets warmer, people just want to be outside anyway," he said. "Having that option makes it more appealing to more people."

Hess added that having outdoor seating draws more business during the warmer months.

"I think a lot of people just like the idea of eating outside," he said. "It's like a picnic without all the problems. You're outside in the sunshine, but you don't have to worry about being on the ground or whatever."

Lauren DiNardo (senior-communication sciences and disorders) said she thinks people come downtown more often in the spring than any other time of year.

"I think they're maybe a little stir crazy after the winter," she said. "It gives you a nice reason to get outside."

Bret Sarlouis, manager at Metro, 324 E. College Ave., said that since the weather has been nicer, more people have been coming into the store.

"After they got a taste of spring break, and where they went with a warmer climate going on, they're just ready for no coats, tank tops, T-shirts, just more fun, bright colors," he said.

Sarlouis said the store sells more light fabrics and light colors, like yellows, greens, and pinks during spring.

"We do bright-colored window displays because that's traditionally what spring and summer colors are," he said. "We have a café in the store here, so we have the Philadelphia Water Ice out. We have ice cream. It gets people in the mood. We open the doors and just let 'em loose."

Amanda Zapcic (sophomore-nursing) said she does more shopping downtown in the spring because of the change in weather.

"It's cold all winter, and you just want to get out and get new clothes," she said.

Zapcic said she has noticed a lot more people downtown lately.

"I think people are just so sick of winter," she said. "They just want some bright colors."

Rob Monzillo, owner of Access, 224 E. College Ave., said the store carries more colors and pastels in the spring than in the winter.

Monzillo added that he wants customers to be able to feel the current season when they come into the store.

"When the customer walks in, you want them to feel the season that you're trying to promote to them," he said.