Bulls Season Opener Should Bring Boost To Businesses Near United Center
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Bulls are at home, opening their regular season tonight at 7 p.m. against the Sacramento Kings - and business owners near the United Center are glad to see some activity on Madison Street.
Gunzo's Sports Center - specializing in Blackhawks hockey clothing and gear - is four blocks from the United Center.
"We've been here since mid-August; so two-and-a-half months," said sales associate Steve Jankowski. That means they opened their doors just in time for the NHL lockout.
Jankowski said that has meant fewer hockey fans in the neighborhood.
"It's kind of hurt a little bit, with the apparel," he said.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Steve Miller reports
Podcast
Jankowski said the shop is glad the Bulls are opening their season.
"It's good to have something going on down the street. It helps to have people walk by to see that we're here," he said.
But he said he wishes the hockey lockout would end.
"The only hockey that's really being played around here is the Wolves, and that's way out in Rosemont. So it's not like they're coming here to get Wolves stuff. We don't even have any Wolves stuff," he said.
