Downtown Winnipeg businesses eagerly preparing for lift-off as Jets begin playoff run
Jets open playoffs at home in just a few days
Businesses in the city are gearing up for the whiteout with the Winnipeg Jets playoff run almost set for liftoff.
The Jets open the post-season with a best-of-seven series against the Colorado Avalanche, a Central Division rival they beat handily in the three games they played this season.
While fans will be cheering for a lengthy playoff run from the club, businesses are also hoping the team can make a deep run.
"The longer we can go definitely in the playoffs, it's not only good for them, but it's definitely good for us," said Will Gault, who runs Willy Dogs.
Gault will take his street meat to the heart of the action, setting up shop at the whiteout street party. As part of a partnership with True North Sports and Entertainment, he said a number of vendors will each get to be outside for one home game in every round of the playoffs.
Gault — who started the Willy Dogs hot dog cart in 2018 — said it's the first time he'll be doing business at the street party. He said having a rotation of vendors and food trucks is good for small businesses and helps everyone get a piece of the pie.
"It gives a chance for Winnipeg to showcase all the different food trucks and different hot dog carts," he said.
Businesses in the heart of downtown Winnipeg are also eagerly anticipating the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The crew at Local Public Eatery on Garry Street are expecting hundreds of guests for each game. They also have plans in place to make sure guests are taken care of if they're waiting outside to get a table.
"I think that we are going to be filling up the whole place and we're going to have people waiting to come in," said manager Malay Pilz. "It's going to be quite a madhouse in here in the best way for sure."
Bartender Lucas Preciado also expects to have his hands full as the Jets begin their post-season run.
"I think it's definitely going to make this place go off the chain for business," he said. "I think that it's going to put some money in all our pockets as well, so no complaints on my end.
Over at The Merchant Kitchen on Donald Street, Academy Hospitality executive chef Jesse Friesen said it's not only an important time for the Jets, but for the restaurant as well. Sales increase between drinks and food during the playoffs and there's an overall uptick in foot traffic, he said.
"This is kind of our playoffs as well, our time to shine," he said. "That's the way I try to get all the staff motivated, it's going to be very busy, but it's very exciting to be a part of the culture downtown, the excitement and just overall being a part of the playoffs."
The numbers show people are flocking to the area in droves when it comes playoff season, according to Olivia Billson with Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. She said last year's brief playoff appearance by the Jets drew 10,000 people downtown that week.
"We do know that we get a really great surge of people coming downtown, having that positive experience and obviously that has a big impact on our businesses in the community."
Meanwhile, True North Sports and Entertainment says Jets fans heading downtown for the street parties should plan to arrive early. People attending the parties can also expect to see similar security measures as inside Canada Life Centre in the form of metal detectors and contactless security screening upon entry and security visibility, a statement from True North said.
Licensed parties take place on Donald Street between Portage and Graham avenues during every home game, starting two hours before puck drop. Donald Street will be closed for several hours before and after every street party, with those times varying depending on when the game starts, True North said in its statement.
With files from CBC Radio-Canada