VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Some businesses are hurting because of the NHL lockout, but others seem to be benefiting.
New numbers from Moneris, the company that processes debit and credit-card transactions across Canada, suggest business is down at eateries and bars near Rogers Arena.
It’s the same story for businesses in NHL markets across the country.
Game-night business is down more than 11 per cent. Drinking establishments have been hit the hardest with transactions down by more than a third.
But people are still spending; Moneris reports bars outside of the arena district have seen an average increase of more than 18 per cent. Business is also up at restaurants and fast food outlets, though the percentages are not as big.
The lockout is now 80 days old.
Bars and eateries by Rogers Arena taking hit from lockout
New numbers suggest the same can be said in all Canadian NHL markets
Shane Bigham/Dean Recksiedler
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Not surprising to me – these businesses are doing nothing to get new (non-hockey) customers in. Prices are too high, food is mediocre to bad, and service is almost non-existent. When we visited the Vancouver Christmas Market last week, we decided to go out for a nice dinner afterward at one of these establishments which has been on the news recently complaining about lack of business. When we entered there was no acknowledgement from any of the staff who were just hanging around and chatting with each other. Finally were seated after waiting at the entry almost 10 minutes. Then we waited in vain for someone to come and take a drink order, bring us a menu, etc. The staff continued talking to each other about schedules, hours and shifts. We walked out after we reached a total of 30 minutes inside the restaurant with no service. Only then did anyone take an interest in us – the waitress who had seated us so long ago asked if we were leaving because she was just on her way over to take our order!!! I suggested that might have been a difficult task for her, since we never did get a menu, and since we did not plan on moving into the restaurant permanently , we were going elsewhere to find a meal. By the way, we were one of 3 tables occupied in the entire restaurant, so the staff were not exactly too busy to do their jobs. They just didn’t bother to do so. If your business fails, look in a mirror. It is not the NHL’s fault!!
The NHL is no longer, get over it.
It’s time to get on with your life and stop waiting for the cry-baby millionaires to settle.
Nobody wants $8.00 hot dogs and$12.00 beers, you better find a new scam.