COLUMBUS, Wis. -- The lights, camera and action are helping boost the bottom line of some Columbus-area businesses.

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Despite the fact that some of the streets are shut down and business fronts are closed, swarms of people have gathered in the small town of 4,400 to watch a motion picture being made and hopefully catch a glimpse of its movie star, Johnny Depp.

"We walked over here, and Johnny Depp was in the van and he was waving at the kids. It was pretty cool," said Jennifer White, who brought her three kids to watch the events of the day.

Columbus' Main Street has turned into a real-life Hollywood set.

TV cameras weren't allowed inside the perimeter, let alone the regular customers who frequent the shops, WISC-TV reported.

"There have been a lot of businesses that haven't been able to function at all except for through their back doors," said Doc Campbell, owner of Capri's Steak House. "That's what we're doing today, too."

The special on Capri's menu on Monday was corned beef and cabbage, but no one seemed interested in food with Depp somewhere nearby.

"I came to see Johnny Depp, and there he was," said one man. "I tell you, he walked right past us."

Businesses may be having a tough time getting customers through the doors right now, but Campbell said the film is huge for the community.

"We've had a really big, big week with all the people coming and looking at Columbus and what's going on here," said Campbell.

Campbell said people from across the Midwest have flooded the town.

The movie is putting Columbus on the map, which he said will pay off years from now.

"This has been a wonderful thing for Columbus, no question about it," said Campbell.