ST. PETERSBURG — The Grand Central District was packed with people Sunday, there to enjoy the St. Pete Pride Festival.

They played games at the tents lining Central Avenue, took literature being passed out by LGBT organizations, accepted free hugs being offered throughout and shopped, dined and drank at the local establishments.

Still, for that area's business owners, the economic impact of Sunday won't make up for losing Saturday's Pride Parade to Bayshore Drive on the downtown waterfront.

The Grand Central District and adjoining Historic Kenwood neighborhoods hosted the parade for the last 14 years and later added the festival, helping the weekend grow into Florida's largest LGBT pride celebration.

The frustration was partly due to the economic hit that came with a two-day party being cut to one day there. But business owners said it has more to do with their personal connection to the parade.

"It was shortsighted of the Pride organization to abandon the people that welcomed the parade for all those years," said Rick Hamilton, owner of Grand Central District coffeehouse Creative Soul Studio.

Business on Saturday night, he said, was "dead. But this has nothing to do with money. This is where the parade should rightfully be."

Pride organizers kept the street festival in Grand Central to appease businesses there after relocating the parade to downtown. But on Sunday, Mandy Keyes, owner of the district's Community Cafe, was not placated.

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She surveyed downtown St. Petersburg two weeks ago and said some storefronts located along the parade route had not yet displayed anything promoting support for the LGBT community.

By the night of the parade, the downtown district was flush with such decorations but for Keyes that was too little, too late. It felt more like pandering than true backing.

"June is Gay Pride Month and they waited until right before the parade to show their support," said Keyes, whose cafe was quiet Saturday night. "Businesses here support the (LGBT) community all year."

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But businesses along the downtown waterfront are ready to welcome the parade back next year.

"It was probably our greatest sales night ever," said Jen Raymond, manager of Fresco's Waterfront Bistro located along the parade route. "And we didn't have a single problem with a customer."

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St. Petersburg police said around 30,000 attended the parade without a single arrest.

Tracy Asalita, owner of Grand Central's Queens Head bar and restaurant, said enough patrons came to her establishment before and after the parade that she had a good night.

"But I do feel like the parade should have a presence here," she said.

That sentiment was echoed by Beverly Nunnally, owner of the district's Foundry Furnishings — not the type of establishment that makes money off parades, she pointed out.

"We are businesses that nurture an inclusive and welcoming environment," she said, "all year long."

Contact Paul Guzzo at pguzzo@tampabay.com. Follow @PGuzzoTimes.