Indy restaurants foresee revenue loss after Big Ten fall sports postponed
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Downtown businesses, already facing challenges during the pandemic, will have one less opportunity for revenue after the postponement of Big Ten fall sports, including the football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
George Stergiopolos, owner of Greek Islands restaurant, said he would have hoped for the Big Ten would have continued games at minimum capacity rather than postponing the season.
“Yes, 25-50% capacity is safe. I think they know they’re all good at what they do; they know how to control this. Big Ten is going to be a big loss for Indianapolis that’s usually a great tournament. It’s a college atmosphere, people go out, they travel as families and just small restaurants like mine family business is the most important,” said Stergiopolos.
The restaurant is just feet away from Lucas Oil Stadium and expects to lose money without the Big Ten football championship game.
“Every event affects us. The Colts games, the Pacer games, these special events, the tournaments,” Stergiopolos said. “We’ve had some young kids in for volleyball and basketball tournaments over the last few weeks, and that has been a real booster for our business.”
O’Reilly’s Irish Bar and Restaurant was hoping for the championship game to overflow hotels, with that business flowing into their eatery.
“We have thrived for years on conventions and out-of-town business travelers, sporting events, concerts and so on,” Joel Reitz with O’Reilly said. “When none of that is happening right now and no one lives in immediately in this area in a four to five block radius, it’s challenging and it is unpredictable in that manner.”
Some owners understand this decision and hope the game will be rescheduled for the spring.
Benjamin Hardy, co-owner of Gallery Pastry Shop, told News 8, “They have to be responsible socially and economically, so I think it’s better to make the right decision now than to jump the gun and try to force business downtown when it’s better to be a little safe than sorry.”
The Big Ten has not provided a new date for the football championship game.