Businessmen supported dance halls because they were profitable.  Gold could not be mined during the winter, therefore the mining community looked for other activities to occupy themselves with.  In November 1859 it was reported that miners left Victoria in the winter because there was “no places of amusement” for pleasure and recreation.  Local businessmen recognized this need and by 1861 there were “persistent rumours” indicating men such as real estate agent John J. Cochrane, and other social dignitaries, had a “high stake in the dancing house building on Fort street”.*
             The unity of businessmen’s support for dance halls is particularly shown through a petition from Yates Street merchants.  This request came from seventy-seven “in habitants of the City of Victoria,” collectively representing nearly every occupation on the street.  Businessmen recognized that miners were eager to spend their newfound wealth and sought to take advantage of the opportunity.  Regardless of the dancer’s race, these Yates Street merchants believed dance halls were the solution to keeping the miners' financial gains in Victoria’s economy.*

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