Home games mean more revenue for local eateries

by Sony Hocklander

SBJ Contributing Writer

Bears and Lady Bears basketball games mean an increase in business for some Springfield restaurants, particularly those near the Southwest Missouri State University campus.

One of those restaurants is Ebbets Field, a grill and brew pub. Owner Nick Russo said the location of Ebbets Field on East Walnut is in part responsible for attracting game-night customers to his business.

"I would like to think that the reputation and the geography of this place helps attract the clientele that we'd like to attract," Russo said. "Logically, because of the size of SMS and the location of their basketball facility, we draw a large crowd from their games."

The walls of Ebbets Field are layered with sports memorabilia and photographs, including many of SMSU basketball players. On a typical night, customers might fill the restaurant's downstairs and a portion of the upper level, Russo said.

Game nights are a different story though, according to Russo, with every seat upstairs and downstairs occupied with primarily alumni, older fans and families, filling his business to its capacity of around 200. Most of the business occurs in the two hours prior to the game, but some groups will return afterward to talk over the contest, he said.

"Our business will at the very least double on the night of the game, and sometimes more, depending on the number of reservations and groups," Russo said.

He even sees reservations for fans of opposing teams, and, on at least one occasion, the opposing team itself.

Gary Harper, owner of Harlow's on South Kimbrough, agrees that proximity to Hammons Student Center, the Bears' arena, contributes to an increase in sales. In Harper's case, his casual grill and bar's nearby location plays a significant role in attracting customers after the game as well as before, as many diners leave their cars in front of Harlow's and walk to the arena.

"You can see it from here, two blocks east. People come here, park, eat and go to the game. Pretty much all we do is clean up, regroup, restock and by that time the game is over and we're ready for the after-crowd," Harper said.

The percentage of increased postgame business may depend on the day of the week, Harper said, but prior to the game, Harlow's usually has a full house.

"From around 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. it's absolutely nuts. Everyone comes in for food before the game. ... And then at 6:55 p.m., they are all gone, just in time to walk over across the street and get in their seats," Harper said.

According to Harper, food sales on those nights come close to doubling a slow average evening. Liquor sales also increase, but at a lower rate, he said.

To accommodate the larger crowd, Harper typically adds two employees and uses a special menu.

"It's an abbreviated menu so we can get the food out faster. But if a group comes in early and orders something ahead of time from the regular menu, we can usually handle that," Harper said.

Another business near the campus is McSalty's on Delmar, a pizza restaurant located close to SMSU's football stadium. Owner Clay Smith said that while football games generate as much as 25 percent more business, he sees a less dramatic increase with basketball.

"But we do see an increase," he said.

"We have an earlier crowd on game days, about two hours before the game. McSalty's is mainly a college place but on those days we'll see families. Saturdays are pretty busy anyway, with or without a game," Smith said.

Although the men's basketball games have a positive effect on business at McSalty's, the Lady Bears' games have had no effect, he added.

For Ebbets Field and Harlow's, the Lady Bears generate as large a crowd as the Bears do, but are generally of a different nature, according to Russo and Harper.

"That's big-time women's basketball," Russo said of the Lady Bears. "They attract as much of a crowd as the guys. But on the nights of Lady Bears games, the dress is noticeably more geared to the function[[In-content Ad]]