Mother-Nature could not have been more cooperative for the Reds, the fans and especially those selling food and drink just outside of Great American Ball Park.
Restaurants and bars located on The Banks downtown are reaping huge profits as baseball season is back in swing.
“Everybody that’s in town to see the game wants to come down and enjoy our product and we’ve been very successful,” said Moerlein Lager House General Manager, Bob Gannaway. “Opening day was huge crowds. It started a little slower with the weather being cold . Once it warmed up a little bit, we had as many or more [patrons] than last year.”
Just up the street, Holy Grail Manager, Marty Crail, agrees with Gannaway. Holy Grail has had tremendous success this past week.
“It’s been outstanding,” explains Crail. “All the dedicated fans come in and see us night in [and] night out. The day games, Saturday was absolutely beautiful. Everyone’s really been supportive. We’ve been elbow to elbow.”
Restaurant managers are not the only ones enjoying ones enjoying this time of year.
Joe Failace and Lena Stockerman were also enjoying themselves at Holy Grail after attending a game at Great American Ball Park. The couple got engaged on Sunday, right inside the ball park.
“I proposed to my girlfriend,” said Failace. “She said yes!”
Failace tells FOX19 that his new fiance got him Reds tickets for his birthday. Failace, at this point, knew that she was a keeper.
Love springs eternal this time of year, and so does the thirst for cold beer. Tin Roof Manager, Will Hodges, says there is plenty of it next door.
“Loving every minute of it,” said Hodges. “Glad baseball is back and the weather has warmed up, sun is shining. You can see back here we’re rocking it at Tin Roof. We’ve got a lot of music going on.”
With all of the thirsty Reds fans at Tin Roof, Hodges said they almost ran out of beer.
“The City of Cincinnati loves it’s drinks,” said Hodges.
Reds fans are, indeed, a thirsty bunch, and hungry too.
A restaurant owner told FOX19 that if you can’t make money selling beer and burgers at The Banks, you’re in the wrong business.