LoDo Businesses Cash In On Opening Day
DENVER (CBS4)- Businesses in LoDo look forward to Rockies Opening Day just as much as the fans do. 85 percent of business owners who locate their business to Denver have actually visited the area previously as tourists.
"The Rockies Opening Day is our biggest day by far," said Helen Wood with the Tavern Hospitality Group.
Stores that sell Rockies gear do most of their game day business before the first pitch.
"People coming in are like, 'Oh, I've got to grab a Rockies hat for the game'," said souvenir shop worker Danielle DeFilippo.
Fans aren't just buying Rockies gear to get them through the game. Most make a trip to Coors Field an experience that lasts the entire day. For most people, that usually means spending some cash.
"$60 on breakfast, and then you buy a hat, that's $25. We're at $200, close to $300 I guess," said Rockies fan Michael House about what he spent so far on Opening Day.
"We actually expect that between $3 and $5 million comes back into downtown as a result of Opening Day," said Downtown Denver Partnership spokeswoman Sarah Neumann.
The start of baseball season is expected to soften the business impact of the struggles for some of Denver's other teams.
"The concerns about the Broncos, the way the Avs are playing, all of these are factors into our ability to attract and have a sustainable flow of people to this area," said Neumann. "The Rockies are really picking things up for us."
LoDo businesses said the biggest baseball profits come from the biggest games. That means late season games, if there are playoff hopes, and Opening Day.
"I expect to spend $150 to $200 on stuff," said Rockies fan Chip Swan. "I want to buy a little jersey for Casey, my daughter."
