Jets and downtown businesses both winning at home

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This article was published 01/05/2018 (2775 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Not only are the Winnipeg Jets winning, but so are downtown bars and restaurants, especially around Bell MTS Place.

Playoff games are proving a boon to downtown businesses, says Moneris, a credit and debit card processor that tracks card use.

The three home playoff games during the first round of the NHL playoffs showed spending increases of 30.5 per cent, 22 per cent, and 30 per cent respectively for businesses within a five-block radius of Bell MTS Place. The spending is mostly in bars and restaurants, while some other retail outlets are also seeing a bump in customers.

Extended to the outer reaches of downtown, total business increased 19 per cent, 12 per cent, and 16 per cent respectively during the first three games.

“If you look at this kind of spending, it tends to radiate out with the Bell MTS Place at the centre, and you get high increases in spending immediately around it,” said Jeff Guthrie, chief sales and marketing officer for Moneris.

“Fans tend to congregate closest to the heart of the game where you get that feel for the game. They love the excitement that builds in the air around the game.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs game scored higher in its Round 1 playoff games with spending up 52 per cent near the Air Canada Centre. The reason is due to the amount of large venues and sports bars in the area, Guthrie said from his office in that city.

The City of Toronto has also promoted more zones for fans to gather. Similarly, True North Square, when complete, will provide a public gathering area.

“We see this with all big sporting events. It gets people out in the community, they gather, spend and celebrate. It’s win-win,” Guthrie said.

Moneris expects spending to go higher during Round 2.

“When we look back at all our data, as the excitement builds the number of people who go out and watch games and gather increases. More and more people get caught up in the excitement. More and more people show up to be part of the event directly, and start gathering in bars and restaurants,” Guthrie said.

“Let’s hope the Jets go all the way.”

The Jets’ run is keeping downtown restaurant owners happy, said Tim Feduniw, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant and Food Services Association.

“What do people do at a celebration? They dine. They dine because they’re anticipating going to a big event at Bell MTS Place or the whiteout celebration, or because they go to a restaurant with big-screen TVs and celebrate with friends because can’t fit them all in the house,” Feduniw said.

“It’s a natural extension to the celebration, and this community is enjoying it to the nines.”

Feduniw still has trouble believing Winnipeg is the last Canadian team in the playoffs and the centre of the country’s attention.

“It’s actually a national phenomenon concentrated in Winnipeg, which is fabulous.”

It’s also a shot in the arm for downtown.

“Big screen TVs, absolute throngs of people, there are some pretty positive things happening downtown, and perhaps some people are getting reacquainted with downtown,” Feduniw said.

 

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca