BY ADAM DESLOGES – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
When we hear about the amount of money lost due to the NHL lockout we’re always hearing about the billionaire owners and or the millionaire (on average) players whom have lost X amount of money. Having pretty much heard all about the money lost from both sides, I decided to take it to the streets around the Air Canada Centre (ACC) in Toronto and ask a few establishments what they have lost due to the current NHL lockout.
My first stop was the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF). What better place to start than where for a lot of players the game comes to an end, unless of course you’re a victim of the current NHL lockout. Kelly Masse, Director, Corporate and Media Relations HHOF told me that “our gate and retail revenues are down significantly.”
Masse went on to explain that because of the loss revenue the HHOF has had no choice but to adjust their front line guest and retail staff models.
After a long walk through the holy grail of hockey it was time for a bite to eat.
Eron Novalski is co-owner and Chef at Aria Ristorante which is located right outside the ACC in Maple Leaf square. Eron simply said “we would normally do about 100 people on game night in an hour… three, four, five days a week.”
Eron did say that thanks to the Christmas season, parties have been plugging holes where normally the game night crowd would be. Like a true hockey fan, Eron would like the NHL back on the ice so it brings people back in his seats.
General manager David Thomas stated that on a typical game night business is down “double almost triple the amount we have on a normal Saturday night.”
Thomas credits the lockout on his sales being down 50 per cent on a Saturday night and with overall sales down about “60 to 40 per cent split from alcohol/food sales.”
It was very hard digesting these numbers as compared to my Mile High Chocolate Cake.
After the great meal and dessert were put away, it was time for some light shopping and a pop or two.
Once again I found myself back in Maple Leaf square with the options that would help me bang off the last two items on my list. Real Sports Apparel and Real Sports Bar and Grill would help with that.
When considering spending my hard earned money at these fine places I decided what better places to get quotes for my blog. When the questions were asked to the respective managers you would think I just went offside on a 2-on-0 with the Great One. Neither of the managers would comment. Of course this is due to the fact that both places are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
I left without any apparel and still searching for that elusive pop.
CAUTION: Hockey is addictive and may cause excited delirium.
You can also follow Adam on twitter @AdamOnHockey
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