Albany

Downtown business operators anticipate high foot traffic on Monday, when thousands of people are expected to flock to the city to hear presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders speak at two rallies within hours of each other in advance of the state's primary on April 19.

At 2 p.m. Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders will host a rally at the Washington Avenue Armory, a venue that can hold up to 4,300 people, and businessman Donald Trump will speak at 7 p.m. at the Times Union Center, which can hold up to 17,500 people. His fellow Republican candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, will also be in the area Monday, but will bypass Albany.

The city used the weekend to prepare for an influx of visitors.

The Downtown Business Improvement District alerted businesses to road closures and parking restrictions, and Albany's "clean team" swept sidewalks to tidy up the city in advance of an influx of out-of-town guests, said Georgette Steffens, the group's executive director.

Cider Belly Doughnuts put a political spin on its treats, sold on North Pearl Street near the Times Union Center.

The shop advertised its "Cider Bernie" — topped with maple buttercream and a honey sriracha drizzle – and a "What A Trump" – a plain doughnut with chocolate mousse and sea salt caramel truffles – on a sign outside its shop. (Other candidates have themed doughnuts on the "ballot," too.)

Employees of local restaurants said they prepared for the rallies by adding staff to Monday shifts and, of course, speculating about what it would be like to have a candidate as a customer.

"It'll be chaos, but let's hope it's organized," said Erika Presher, a bartender at the Pearl Street Pub, less than a half-mile away from the Times Union Center.

Several extra employees will work on Monday to accommodate the anticipated frenzy, Presher said. "It's going to be like a St. Patrick's Day, but people won't be outside drinking."

City Beer Hall will bring on its full staff on Monday, as it does for other large events at the Times Union Center.

The crowd coming on Monday may largely be from out of town, restaurant general manager Josh Grant said on Saturday.

More Information Candidate convergence comes to the Capital Region Monday Sen. Bernie Sanders, Democratic presidential candidate When: 2 p.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.) Where: Washington Avenue Armory, 195 Washington Ave., Albany Info: http://berniesanders.com Donald J. Trump, Republican presidential candidate When: 7 p.m. Monday (doors open at 4 p.m.) Where: Times Union Center, 51 S. Pearl St. Info: http://donaldjtrump.com Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Republican presidential candidate When: 2:30 p.m. Monday (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) Where: LaSalle Institute, 174 Williams Road, Troy When: 5:30 p.m. Monday (doors open at 4:30 p.m.) Where: Springs City Center, Broadway, Saratoga Springs Info: http://johnkasich.com See More Collapse

"We're ready for it," Grant said. "It's always exciting to be next to the Times Union Center at events like this."

Additional parking regulations likely will not affect business at the Steuben Street Market, an organic and local food store, said part-time employee Barbara Tonne. "Finding parking is tough here anyway," she said.

Tonne said the intense political dialogue has made the primary season exciting in New York.

"I would like to have a placard out there saying 'Go Home, Trump,'" she said, later crediting the candidate for the "open and rich" conversation regarding the election that stretched over the last several months.

Taylor Cianciotto, a College of Saint Rose student who has worked at Noho Pizza for three years, said she would be working on Monday evening at the small shop just feet from the Washington Avenue Armory. She said Sanders supporters may drop by the store after the rally.

Her boss, she said, joked that Sanders may turn to the shop for a slice of pizza, too.

"I can only hope," she said, laughing.

Doors will open at the Armory at 11 a.m., and at the Times Union Center at around 4 p.m.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich will also be in the region on Monday, with appearances scheduled at 2:30 p.m. at La Salle Institute in North Greenbush and at 5:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs.

Democratic front-runner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Albany and Cohoes on Monday, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz appeared in Scotia on Thursday.

lellis@timesunion.com • 518-454-5018 • @lindsayaellis