WASHINGTON — Nationals fans are gearing up for Game 6 of the World Series after attendance numbers at Nats Park topped out last weekend at 43,910. But local businesses around the park are also seeing skyrocketing attendance numbers.
The city is anticipating an estimated $8 million in revenue, according to Destination DC, which doesn’t just help the local economy but also local businesses.
"We were certainly expecting big crowds," Walter’s Sports Bar Owner Jeremy Gifford said. "Probably weren’t expecting to be as packed as we were."
Gifford said in terms of profit, the bar brought home more over the weekend than it might make next month.
"We have about 90 kegs that are empty right now, so that’d be around 10,000 some odd beers there," Gifford said. "I think we did probably 8-or-9,000 cans of Bud Light and then everything else that we sell."
These numbers didn’t just exceed Gifford's expectations -- they also exceeded projected profit estimations.
Destination DC projected this weekend’s World Series games would have a $6.5 million-dollar economic impact, but because of Sunday’s game, the new projection is now up to $8 million.
Gordon Biersch Brewery’s General Manager James Ruprecht said the increase in consumers also meant an increase in employees.
"It was a lot of hours and a lot of people," Ruprecht said. "Probably tripled about what we’re normally doing, it was definitely all hands on deck."
It wasn’t just restaurants around Navy Yard that cashed in, but also bars. On Saturday, the Bullpen had a line longer than the line to enter the ballpark.
"Down here it’s a Christmas," Gifford said. "Nobody plans on going to the World Series in their business model."
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Gifford said the number of Nationals Fans buying season tickets will also help businesses around here.
"I think long term though it probably gets people who aren’t real baseball fans excited about baseball," Gifford said. "I’m sure the Nationals sold more season tickets next year to people who wanted to get to the World Series."
Once the World Series is over, Gifford encourages people to not forget about all that’s down at Navy Yard.
"Don’t forget about Navy Yard in November to February,” Gifford said. “Lots of good places to come to."