Central Coast businesses expecting to cash in from 49ers in Super Bowl
SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers are heading to Super Bowl LIV to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
The team's first trip to the Super Bowl in seven years is creating a lot of excitement for the team's many fans on the Central Coast.
In addition, there's a lot of excitement within the local business community.
"It's always a big day, but having the California and 49er twist to it, I'm expecting it to be a lot bigger," said Mark Steller.
The Orcutt Old Town Market owner estimates his store could see an increase in sales Super Bowl weekend due having the 49ers in the big game.
"We will sell a lot of beer," said Steller. "It used to be Coors and Budweisers, but now it's the craft beers, the Firestone's and the Fig Mountain's, they're going to fly out of here. I think we'll sell a lot of cheese trays, chips and salsa and I hope people will give it a local edge."
A few blocks away at Blast825 Brewery, plans are already underway for what is also expected to be a very busy day.
"We'll stock up on some beer, stock up on our food," said manager Ashlee Sauer. "We'll be offering $5 appetizers, $5 pizzas, $5 house pints. We'll also be giving away free pizza for a year in a prize drawing, and Blast merchandise, so it should be a good time."
The brewery is a popular spot for football fans, but with the 49ers in the Super Bowl, it will likely be one of the top spots to watch the game.
"It's great news for Blast," said Sauer. "Usually our normal season games and our playoffs, this place is packed and you can't even find a seat, so we're expecting a really good turnout."
At the Santa Maria Town Center, Sportscard Fantasy's has been busy ever since opening its doors Monday morning.
"People were coming in and just grabbing whatever they could and it's smart because if they don't come in here, they're not going to get it," said owner Curt Miller. "If they wait, we'll have customers right up to game time on Sunday, so those people will be coming in and will be wondering why we're out of everything."
Miller believes the 49ers current success could add up to the longtime sports-memorabilia store establishing a new sales record.
"We'll probably have our best January for sure," said Miller. "We're already on pace to do that and it just builds and builds every day."
Miller adds about 90 percent of his customers that walk through the front entrance are looking for 49ers merchandise.
"We will sell every 49er jersey that we have in stock, I'm pretty sure of that in the next two weeks," said Miller. "We do have a good chunk of Super Bowl merchandise coming in right now, and tomorrow, and the next day, and we'll be pretty well stocked with tee-shirts and hats and hoodies and those kind of things."
In addition to a high volume of 49ers gear, Chiefs merchandise is also proving to be very popular.
"There's a lot of Chiefs fans around here," said Miller. "I don't people know how diversified this area is, with a military base. We have people moving in and out of California from all over."
Super Bowl LIV will be played Sunday, Feb. 2. It can been seen locally on KKFX FOX 11.
