Bigger Colts crowd helping fuel downtown businesses
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Several downtown businesses said they were seeing a boost in business on a day when the Colts home crowd boosted to 7,500 fans. It’s three times larger than the home opener against the Vikings last week.
Colts home games can be big business for the bars and restaurants downtown in a normal season with up to 70,000 fans a game. On Sunday afternoon, barley 10% of that was allowed in.
“It’s great to see downtown alive again,” said Jeff Huron, manager at the District Tap.
Huron said he’s already noticing a difference compared to last week.
“Definitely notice a difference, definitely busier.”
Every table was taken Sunday afternoon, both outside and in. But that means a grand total of roughly 100 customers, including about 40 outside, compared to the roughly 400 patrons that could squeeze in in years past.
Although there’s a 50% occupancy limit, with social distancing making a couple tables off-limits and no standing around the bar, they can only fit a fraction of that.
“I hate turning people away,” Huron said. “I think this is the best place downtown to watch games. But when we’re full, we’re full. I only have so many seats.”
Still, smaller crowds are better than no crowds.
Huron said the busiest it gets seems to be about three hours before the game, from people who want to get a seat and then don’t want to leave.
With the occupancy restrictions at Lucas Oil, Huron said a lot fewer fans seem to be coming here before going to the game. But that just clears the way for people who don’t have a ticket.
Both last week and this one, the District Tap has been full, which is something Huron thought might not have happened at all in July.
“If you would have asked me three months ago, I would have said it’s not going to happen,” he said. “But I’m really pleasantly surprised to see the season kicking off like it has. I wouldn’t have expected that a few months ago.”
Perhaps more important is the number of people who were walking up and down South Meridian Street during the game, a sign that just maybe, things are coming back.
More foot traffic is better for everyone’s bottom lines.
“Downtown seems busier for sure,” Huron said.
While Stage 5 began statewide on Saturday, looser restrictions begin in Marion County on Monday.
Huron said because of the social distance requirements, that loosening of restrictions really doesn’t change anything at his restaurant.