Sports
NFL Lockout Ends, North Shore Businesses Rejoice
With the Chicago Bears set to play, Gilson's of Wilmette readies beer deals.
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.
“We decided that during this fall we’re going to start doing some beer deals for Monday Night Football,” said Maria Callegari, . “Now that the lockout is over, that will help our business because people will come in to watch the game.”
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. (
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“We generally have quite a crowd on Monday night because there’s not much going on,” Callegari 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.
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“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 best sellers 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.
“Football definitely helps our business,” Callegari said. “Everyone’s always in good spirits during football season, especially if the Bears do well.”
