Sports
End of NFL Lockout Brings Sigh of Relief to Businesses
NFL games and another season with the Chicago Bears often means big business for restaurants, bars and sports shops.
It’s not just football fans who are excited that the NFL lockout came to an end on Monday afternoon.
Many local businesses are breathing a collective sigh of relief after players and owners finally came to an agreement and will start the 2011 NFL regular season on time.
Earlier:
Find out what's happening in Winnetka-Glencoefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We always have a small crowd here on Sundays and it’s definitely good for us. No question,” said Marie Albrecht, manager at .
When the lockout started back in early March, restaurants and sports bars throughout the Chicagoland area worried that the lack of an NFL season would have a dire effect on revenues. While college football would still draw decent-sized crowds on Saturdays, the NFL served as a main attraction on Sunday afternoons, and especially on Monday night.
Find out what's happening in Winnetka-Glencoefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Having [football] fall on a Monday night is definitely an advantage since Mondays tend to be a slower day of the week,” Albrecht said.
An extended offseason would’ve been bad news for apparel stores as well. Sales had been strong recently with good seasons from the Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks, but a canceled season would’ve meant lower revenues.
“Bears are very strong, always one of the stronger teams,” said Jason Caref, co-owner of Clark Street Sports, which sells licensed sports apparel of Chicago sports teams and has a location in Old Orchard Mall. “Either the Bears or Cubs are neck and neck for bestsellers out of the five pro teams.”
The situation was made worse by the ongoing labor issues in the NBA. There has been no resolution reached and many experts predict that games will be canceled for the upcoming 2011-12 season.
But these local businesses should start reaping the benefits of a revived NFL season starting in August with four preseason games leading into the regular season. Although the preseason games mean next-to-nothing for the casual fan, fantasy football fanatics will be studying up in the shorter offseason.
And with the Bears coming off an appearance in the NFC Championship game, things are now looking good for all those involved.
"Like" us on Facebook to receive news and participate in the conversation on Winnetka, Glencoe and Northfield.
