Some area businesses cashing in on Dodgers Giants playoff series
SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- With the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants facing off in the National League Divisional Series, some Central Coast businesses are cashing in on the unprecedented playoff series.
The playoff series is the first ever between the two longtime rivals.
Since the Central Coast is located roughly halfway between Southern California and the Bay Area, it's home for a large number of both Dodgers and Giants fans.
"We have an even amount of fans here in town," said Randy Wise, owner of Straw Hat Pizza in Santa Maria. "There's Giants fans. There's Dodgers fans and they call come out to cheer."
Wise said through the first two games of the series, he's seen an uptick in sales.
"It started on Friday and it was just kind of gangbusters," said Wise. "We had one party, they all came in Dodger blue and then another one came in with the Giants ensemble on."
He added strong sales continued on into the weekend.
"It was spirited," said Wise. "It was jammed packed on Saturday, which was the second game and tonight's the third game. We're tied 1-1 and see what happens tonight."
In addition to restaurants, places that sale team merchandise are also reporting a boost in business.
"It's been great," said Sportscard Fantasy's owner Curt Miller. "The t-shirts, the hats, the sweatshirts, the jackets, everything has been selling,"
Miller, who has owned by popular sports merchandise store located in the Santa Maria Town Center mall for many years, said fans from both teams are helping ring up big sales at his shop.
"We've virtually sold out of a lot of the stuff," said Miller. "We're trying to get stuff in and keep our customers happy, but we've been selling lots of Dodgers stuff, and now, all of sudden, we're selling lots of Giants stuff."
On Monday, fans from both teams came out to purchase team gear, including several that stopped by before traveling south to Dodger Stadium to attend Game 3.
Miller added the increase in sales comes despite the pandemic throwing his business a curve with inventory.
"It's very challenging," said Miller. "The supply is limited. We do expect to get all of our playoff merchandise if either the Dodgers or Giants advance to the World Series."
After two games, the Dodgers and Giants are tied at a game apiece. Whoever wins the series will advance to the National League Championship Series to play either the Atlanta Braves or Milwaukee Brewers.
Both store owners are hoping for a long series and are crossing their fingers one of the two teams continues on to the World Series.
"When the Dodgers won last years, we had our biggest October ever thanks to all the Dodgers fans," said Miller. "We expect the same this year, whether it be Dodgers or Giants."
"I think everybody is experiencing a boost," said Wise. "I would assume because it creates enthusiasm and that's what we need nowadays is enthusiasm. They come out and cheer for their team and they bring their families in and rah rah, everything's great!"
