P.F. Chang's China Bistro had one of its best weekends ever. Anything with the word Idaho flew off gift shop shelves. The Boise Towne Square mall saw more shoppers. The state got free press around the world.

When organizers announced the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games were coming to Idaho, they said the weeklong event would pump millions into the local economy.

Organizers and experts say it is too soon to pin down the Games' ultimate financial impact, but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the Treasure Valley and other communities enjoyed a financial windfall. A Games official estimates the state and Boise could rake in as much as $3 million in tax revenues.

Another boost is likely March 20-22, with rounds of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Boise.

The World Games brought almost 2,000 athletes from 95 countries along with thousands more delegates, family members and fans.

"It seemed like there were definitely more bodies coming through the doors," said Denton Musser, an operating partner in P.F. Chang's, a restaurant in Boise's BoDo shopping district.

The Games began boosting the local economy about two years ago, when organizers moved to town, rented homes and started paying for items like T-shirts and posters, said Bobbie Patterson, executive director of the Boise Convention Center and Visitors Bureau.

"We know restaurants, we know hotels, we know lots and lots of bus drivers had work (last) week that wouldn't have had otherwise," Patterson said.

The bureau's visitor information center, which sells slight amounts of merchandise, sold $750 worth during the Games - "more than in a whole quarter," she said. And Taters, the Idaho souvenir shop at the Boise Centre, did "magnificently well."

A Special Olympics program called Healthy Athletes brought hundreds of volunteer health care providers to town, and they spent money, too, Patterson said.

But it may be weeks before the state has a handle on how much shopping and dining visitors did. That's when sales and hotel taxes will be tallied.

State economist Mike Ferguson said that with every $10 million in spending, the state reaps $600,000 in sales taxes. "It is possible we could see as much as a couple million, I suppose," Ferguson said.

But Ferguson said that won't do much to help rescue state government from recession-induced budget shortfalls.

Still, some local businesses could see a better bottom line.

Jenny Kroll, who manages Proto's Pizza in BoDo, said the restaurant has had "a ton" of Special Olympics contestants, coaches and parents.

Retailers saw plenty of international uniforms strolling through Boise Towne Square, said Rebecca Hope, common area coordinator at the mall.

Meanwhile, people around the country and world saw Idaho's glistening cross-country slopes and philanthropic nature through news reports, said Bibiana Nertney, spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Commerce.

The coverage will help draw tourists, business and foreign investors compelled by the quality of life portrayed in the reports, Nertney said.

"It really puts Idaho in a great light," Nertney said "We had the vice president come and visit. Certainly, there was a lot of coverage on that. ... In public relations value, we will see an impact of several hundred thousand dollars."

Bruce Schrepple, chief financial officer for the Games, said by the time all hotel, food and transportation bills are paid, the organization will have spent $21 million - mostly in Idaho. Schrepple estimates the Games will generate at least $3 million in tax payments to the state and to Boise.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418