Sports-fueled crowds bring boost to Long Island small businesses
Multiple businesses say they've seen a huge surge in customers this month.
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It's been an exciting month for sports in New York between the Knicks' NBA championship win, the U.S. Open and now the World Cup.
Businesses on Long Island are booming.
"We're seeing thousands of people and it's great," said Matt Buck, general manager at Plattduetsche Park in Franklin Square.
At Plattduetsche Park, that surge in people coming to watch every game has been a big help.
"There's definitely been an uptick it's definitely the atmosphere," Buck said. "It's exciting."
Ownership at Dark Horse Tavern in Farmingdale agrees.
"The Knicks were just a phenomenon that just kept growing and growing and growing," owner Steve Kent said. "I thought the building was going to fall down actually when they won the championship."
Business owners hope that the momentum will keep up throughout the summer.
"As the tournament progresses, we expect those crowds to increase," Kent said.
Joseph Garcia, with the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, said the summer can be a tough time for local businesses.
"Food costs have gone up, labor costs, utility costs," Garcia said. "It feels like every day they go up. It is really tough for small business right now."
But all of the sports excitement over the last month, it's all been a big help.
"We're seeing a 10 to 30% increases during those sporting events at our restaurants, which translates to real profit," Garcia said.
Businesses say there's more to it than just driving in customers.
"It's exciting that people are cheering together," Buck said. "They're part of a community together."
