Harry Potter the Weekend's Big Winner

The biggest crowds in Sherman Oaks this weekend, when residents were urged to stay home and shop local because of the 405 closure, were at the ArcLight Cinemas Saturday and Sunday, where the final Harry Potter film was being shown on multiple screens.

"Many of the people who came on Saturday had already seen the movie on Thursday at midnight," said Chris Hawley, who took photos and videos for Patch on Thursday and Saturday.

"Lots of people wore Harry Potter costumes to the ArcLight on Thursday, but on Saturday, not many people were wearing costumes," Hawley said.

Weekend figures for the ArcLight Sherman Oaks were not available, but this final Potter movie—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2—was the highest-grossing opening weekend movie ever, according to national Box Office Mojo.

The film drew an estimated $168 million, dethroning The Dark Knight's $158 million. The 2008 Batman movie was the highest-grossing weekend film ever shown at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks.

Lots of folks also shopped local at thethis weekend. Most of the customers were drawn to the fresh produce vendors, but the Malibu Pies were also a popular item.

Carmageddon weekend created a different kind of shopping pattern at Gelson's Market in Sherman Oaks.

"We were really busy all day Friday," said Lucinda Jones, who works as a grocery checker at the Van Nuys Boulevard supermarket.

"People from the hills were stocking up because they thought it was going to be difficult to get around on Saturday. It was one of the busiest Fridays we've had in a long time."

"But Saturday was slow. Everything kind of died down when the freeway was closed," added Jones with a smile.

Next door at the Best Buy store, employee Orlando Plato said business was strong on Saturday when the freeway was shut down.

"Lots of customers came from other parts of the Valley to shop on Saturday," he said.

A number of restaurants in Sherman Oaks reported slightly slower business on Saturday night.

"We had fewer customers than usual this weekend," said Lauren Gardiner, the hostess at Sisley Restaurant on Ventura Boulevard.

"Many people just stayed home and didn't venture out," Gardiner said.

When asked if we might see a lot of Carmageddon babies being born about nine months from now, Gardiner laughed and said, "Maybe, that could happen."

"People did stay home," she said.