Jets lose, but pubs, restaurants win big Businesses score during playoff run, hope for more events to draw crowds downtown By: Chris Kitching Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2023 (905 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the Winnipeg Jets hit the ice for a do-or-die playoff game in Las Vegas Thursday, the city’s downtown bars and restaurants will be among those cheering the loudest for a win.

A Jets victory over the Vegas Golden Knights will extend the series and give Winnipeg another home game, after the first two delivered a boost in sales for businesses that cater to fans.

“It would be another big Saturday and a reason to have another big party. Downtown would love that,” said Colin Koop, co-owner of Devil May Care Brewing Company. “The whole city is hoping for a win, but as a business owner downtown, maybe we have more motivation for wanting a win other than sporting reasons.”

Koop said the brew pub at Fort Street and York Avenue welcomed about twice as many customers during Games 3 and 4 compared with a normal Saturday and Monday.

Vegas won both games to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

Some of the pre- or post-game customers were fans who had tickets to the games or whiteout street parties next to Canada Life Centre.

More than 20,000 fans packed the arena and outdoor parties on Donald Street and in True North Square each game, making for some of the largest public gatherings downtown since pre-pandemic times.

At Devil May Care, fans arrived in waves for Saturday’s game, which started shortly after 3 p.m.

“It was a really good night for us,” said Koop. “The atmosphere was awesome. It was everything we could have hoped for.”

Monday’s game had a later puck drop at closer to 9 p.m., when downtown is normally quiet.

Bars and restaurants offered food and drink specials to attract customers. Some brought in extra staff to handle the rush.

Like Koop, Riley Edwards, general manager of the Local Public Eatery on Garry Street, just south of Portage Avenue, is hoping the Jets avoid elimination and force a Game 6 in Winnipeg.

“One more Saturday playoff game would certainly be a welcome addition,” he said.

Edwards said the bar and restaurant, which saw an increase in customers, hired a DJ to play music between periods and after the home games.

On Monday, some fans arrived from the street party after one of its giant screens suffered a technical glitch in the third period, he said.

Not all businesses have benefited from the increase in visitors.

Book Fair co-owner Judy Weselowski said her store, located on Portage just west of the arena, was quiet Saturday afternoon.

When there’s a big event in the afternoon, some of her customers who arrive by car are deterred because it’s tougher to find street parking, she said.

“When the parking’s gone, the customers drive by and we lose out on sales,” said Weselowski, who sells books, comics and sports memorabilia. “Being too close to the arena has really hurt us.”

Monday’s game started when her shop and many other retailers in the area were closed.

“It’s for the bars and restaurants, basically,” she said of the impact of the National Hockey League playoff games. “People don’t want to buy something and hold it all night.”

Weselowski said her store, which locks its front door for safety reasons and requires customers to wear a face mask, is still feeling the effects of the pandemic and the slow return of office workers.

“When the parking’s gone, the customers drive by and we lose out on sales… Being too close to the arena has really hurt us.”–Book Fair co-owner Judy Weselowski

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ spokeswoman Pamela Hardman hopes irregular visitors rediscover what downtown has to offer, while attending Jets games or street parties.

“The whiteout parties are a way to bring people back and remind them of what they’re missing,” she said.

For Koop and Edwards, the playoff experience shows the area’s potential for hosting future gatherings such as festivals or outdoor concerts.

“We are pretty excited about the fact there were so many people wanting to come downtown,” said Koop. “These are the kinds of events that businesses down here really need.”

Economic Development Winnipeg spokeswoman Karen Viveiros hopes the street parties, which have raised $50,000 for the United Way, lead to more large events.

“It has shown people are ready and willing to come back together,” she said.

Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president of venues and entertainment for Jets owner True North Sports and Entertainment, said the whiteout parties were a success.

“The crowds seem very, very happy that we’re doing this again, and that they can get downtown and gather,” he said. “Having a vibrant downtown is integral to everything we do.”

He acknowledged there were some technical glitches with giant screens, and there may be a need for more food trucks.

If there is a Game 6 in Winnipeg, the footprint of the street party, which holds up to 5,000 fans, will not change, said Donnelly.

The Manitoba government is providing $75,000 per playoff round for the parties. The city is offering up to $15,000 per game in in-kind services.

“The crowds seem very, very happy that we’re doing this again, and that they can get downtown and gather… Having a vibrant downtown is integral to everything we do.”–Kevin Donnelly

Economic Development Winnipeg has allocated $50,000 from a tourism fund.

Insp. Shaun Veldman of the Winnipeg Police Service’s special events unit said the crowds have been enthusiastic and well-behaved.

Officers have helped staff or security deal with some minor incidents.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching