CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- New numbers show that last year was one the best years for the Ting Pavilion, bringing in more revenue and tourism for the Charlottesville Downtown Mall.

Local businesses say the events the Ting Pavilion hosts, such as its paid concerts and the free Fridays After Five events, help get more people downtown.

"The whole atmosphere of the mall is just elevated when Fridays is happening,” said Michael Rodi, owner of the Rapture restaurant.

Having people pop by stores on their way to Fridays After Five is something that shops enjoy.

"You know, people who listen to music usually buy books as well, so that's a nice thing. We get a lot of families on Friday nights. Always a rich audience. People who are just coming down the mall for Fridays After Five and stopping in,” said Audrey Parks, buyer and assistant manager at the New Dominion Bookshop.

Business owners say that the Ting Pavilion provides them with more customers. And after the pandemic, it's a promising sign to see so many people coming out and enjoying life again.

"When I see it busy like we've seen recently with this season, and some last season, you're reminded of what it was like when it was really going strong. And also, hopefully a taste of things to come,” said Rodi.

"It's not uncommon to see between 4,000 to 6,000 come and go and go on your typical Fridays After Five. So you can come on downtown and, chances are, you're going to see your neighbors, and some friends, and people you know,” said Jonathan Drolshagen, Ting Pavilion general manager.

It's more than just music and events. The Ting Pavilion also gives back and helps bolster the local economy.

"You know, I know that when we're busy at the Pavilion, the other shops and the hotels and the restaurants, it's just a great funnel for tourism for the local downtown economy,” Drolshagen said.

Last year, the Ting Pavilion hosted 63 events, bringing in more than 135,000 people.

Some of the highlights from 2022 included 108 venue jobs, a $12.5 million impact, over $375,000 in local tax revenue, and the Ting Pavilion raised more than $50,000 for local charities.