JMU Homecoming Draws Crowds to Harrisonburg Businesses

Harrisonburg, VA, October 16, 2026 —

James Madison University’s homecoming weekend is bringing students and alumni back to Harrisonburg and increasing crowds and activity at some local businesses, including Mr. J’s Bagels & Deli and Urgie’s Cheesesteaks.

The weekend’s return visitors are adding to activity around the city as the university marks homecoming. The available information identifies the two businesses as examples of local establishments seeing a boost, but does not specify how much customer traffic or business activity has increased.

Details about the businesses’ sales, staffing, operating hours or individual responses to the weekend were not provided. No figures are available on how many students or alumni have returned to Harrisonburg, and the specific dates of the homecoming weekend were not included.

The information also does not identify other businesses or community events affected by the influx. As a result, the extent of the broader impact on Harrisonburg’s local economy cannot be determined from the details provided.

For now, the reported effect is a rise in crowds and activity at businesses such as Mr. J’s Bagels & Deli and Urgie’s Cheesesteaks, as students and alumni come back to the city for James Madison University’s homecoming weekend.

Story summarized from the original created by BriAsia Kelley on www.whsv.com, see more information here.

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