For a Super Bowl game, people might be a little hungry and what better way than to go to a restaurant eat good and watch the big game.
The Super Bowl in Minneapolis was promising and reports were that $343 million for an economic impact. That sounds great considering the Twin City is hosting one of the biggest sporting events. But what happens when not all the restaurants secure the bag on such a big game in their city?
According to bizjournals.com, Mall of America got its share of hungry patrons, but other areas suffered and customers just stayed home as if to avoid all the traffic flooding Downtown Minneapolis.
Brenda Langton co-owner of Spoonriver, located by the Guthrie Theater and just blocks away from U.S. Bank Stadium, site of Super Bowl LII said,
“Super Bowl week was the worst week ever for us, sales were down 75 percent.”
Considering her place was down the street is a startling reality considering you’d assume people would flock to your establishment for a basic necessity, food. Langton also voiced her opinion that media outlets shouldn’t claim that millions will show up when in fact they have no idea.
“The media needs to stop putting the fear of God into everybody and understand that other cities have weathered [the Super Bowl] just fine and not to terrify everyone,” Langton said. “I just want to have people come back downtown and get over the Super Bowl. It was very good for a few people and that’s what happens.”
There were multiple restaurants that took a hit Super Bowl weekend and it’s something to definitely learn from. The media shouldn’t put out expectations when it’s no guarantee. Businesses lost money when they thought they were going to hit gold with this busy weekend.