Business owners around the TD Garden can’t wait until tomorrow.
That’s when they say business will be booming.
“Even away games we have a full restaurant,” said Joe Gonzalez, a bartender at Sports Grille Boston on Canal Street. “During home games … it will be standing room only.”
With the NBA Finals coming to town for as many as three games over the next week, it will mean millions of dollars in business for the city’s economy.
“It all adds up to 16 extra days of great business,” said Jim Taggart, manager of The Fours, also on Canal Street. “Every game means a lot to every server and every bartender.”
Restaurant workers in the neighborhood around the Garden said the prolonged seasons means prolonged business.
“With the Bruins done and when the Celtics are done it’s two to three months of not much business,” Gonzalez said. “This whole neighborhood lives and dies by the Bruins and Celtics.”
At The Fours, the extra business comes not just from local fans, but from Garden workers and members of the national media in Boston to cover the games.
The excitement of the Finals caught up with Rachel Preckol of Westford. The 19-year-old was in town for her brother’s basketball tournament and stopped in TD Garden pro shop to pick up a Celtics jersey.
“It’s the Finals,” she said. “Wherever you’re going to watch the game you’ve got to have nice gear on.”
