Jun. 20--Gwen Smith is in Charlotte this week to get some food for her soul. But she also wants some bargains for her closet. 

"I plan to hit all the stores I can find," said Smith, who lives in Memphis, Tenn., and is one of the estimated 50,000 delegates attending the National Baptist Convention USA's Congress of Christian Education until Friday. 

The gathering is billed as the largest convention in Charlotte history. And convention-goers are giving the Charlotte-area economy a summertime boost. 

Lunchtime crowds in the Overstreet Mall on Tuesday jammed walkways as convention-goers used the break to eat and shop. 

By week's end, delegates are expected to spend at least $9.5million on hotels, meals, shopping, and more. 

The Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the typical convention visitor stays an average of 1.7 nights and spends $228 per day. 

Smith said she budgeted $1,000 for the week. 

In the convention exhibit area, Joyce Thomas of Detroit browsed at a fur and leather vendor. 

"I'm looking for unusual items like purses and hats, things I can't get at home," she said. 

Thomas, who budgeted $800 for the week, also planned to look for Christian children's literature for her day-care center. 

Both women say they plan to head to area malls this week, joining others who have already discovered Eastland Mall, Concord Mills, and the Prime Outlets in Gaffney, S.C. 

Officials at Eastland Mall saw several busloads of convention delegates Monday. 

"I talked to the manager of Dillard's and he said (Monday) between 5p.m. and 9p.m. they doubled their business," said Elizabeth Lord, mall marketing director. 

Concord Mills also reported convention-related traffic. And despite having done little direct advertising, the Prime Outlets saw a handful of delegates on Tuesday. 

Visitors have also swamped area restaurants and trickled into uptown's Discovery Place museum. 

Speaking over the din of customers, Renee Bazzelle, co-owner of Mert's Heart & Soul restaurant, said the convention has been great for business. Normally closed for dinner Monday through Wednesday, Bazzelle said she opened this week from 5p.m. to 10p.m. 

"I'd say we're going to get about 200 or more customers" per night, she said. "It's a predominantly black convention, so they look for minority businesses to patronize." 

McDonald's Cafeteria on Beatties Ford Road benefited both from its home-cooked food and proximity to host church Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. 

"Just like they're the host church, we're almost by proxy the host restaurant," said Dave Cook, general manager. 

The restaurant extended its hours and will be open from 7a.m. until 2a.m. this week. 

David Rijos, general manager of the Charlotte Omni Hotel, says this is the busiest conference -- food and beverage-wise -- that he's seen in the eight years he has been at the Omni. 

Trying to get a cup of coffee in the Overstreet Mall was "like going to Panther game 20 minutes before kickoff" on Tuesday, Rijos said. 

At the convention center exhibit hall, Amanda Norwood, chief executive officer of "N" Time Music on Albemarle Road, beamed as customers snatched up the compact discs and sheet music she had for sale. 

She estimated her booth would net between $10,000 and $15,000 this week. 

Other Charlotte vendors said they had seen more lookers than buyers so far this week, but were optimistic that would change by Friday. 

"We're kind of being patient," said Ellen Johnson, a milliner with a booth in the exhibit hall. "It's a lot of competition with this kind of convention. But there's a lot of black women here, a lot of minister's wives, and they like hats." 

James Wooten, owner of James House of Robes, which sells choir and clergy robes, said success at a convention of this size varies. 

"It depends on the economy and where you're located. I got a good spot this year," he said, pointing to the nearby front door of the hall. 

Wooten is looking to sell 10 to 20 robes to cover his expenses and make a 20 percent profit. 

"Beyond that," he said, "it gets to be gravy." 

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