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By Liam Verster

Boost to Business

Canucks playoff run giving local food and beverage industry a boost

May 8, 2024 | 5:00 AM

Bars and restaurants in Vernon are benefiting from the Vancouver Canucks making it into the NHL playoffs for the first time in four years

Hussein Hollands, one of the owners of The Rosters Sports Club, told Vernon Matters the food and beverage industry in Vancouver definitely benefits when the Canucks make the playoffs, but similar impacts are also seen in the North Okanagan.

“There’s no question, the Canucks [bring] an uptick,” Hollands said.

“In past years, when the Canucks weren’t in the playoffs, we would get little upticks with whatever Canadian team is playing, whether it was Flames, Oilers, et cetera, we would get little upticks with that, but this year, for sure a Canucks game is going to get a boost of people, end of story.”

Hollands added the sports club operations tend to slow down in the spring and summer months, so the Canucks’ playoff run is a welcome boost to business.

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Ryan Van Nieuwkerk, Director of Operations for The Kal, noted a similar uptick in patrons for the Canucks games.

“Definitely people like to come in and grab a beer and some food while they sit here and watch the games,” Van Nieurkerk said, adding having any Canadian team in the playoffs is beneficial to the bar and restaurant industry, but having the B.C. team playing is an even bigger driver to get fans out and cheering at local establishments.

The Canucks open the second round Wednesday, May 8, against the Edmonton Oilers, and the local sports bars are expecting to see more hockey fans turn out as the Okanagan is home to many former Albertans.

“There’s definitely going to be some strong cheering for the Canucks, that’s a no-brainer, but I can tell you there’s also going to be some strong cheering for the Oilers too. It won’t be 50-50, but [there’s] some serious fans for the Oilers,” Hollands told Vernon Matters.

“I think it’s a good rivalry. We do have a lot of people coming and living here now and have a home or a vacation home here or travel here a lot from Alberta, and I think it’s a good rivalry between the two. People can cheer them on and give each other a hard time while they’re doing it, so I think it’s great for everybody,” Van Nieuwerk added.

The representatives from The Roster and the Kal both said atmospheres have been good during games, and there hasn’t been any incidents involving volatile fans.

“Just typical hoorahs and cheering, nothing out of the ordinary, that’s for sure,” Van Nieurkerk said, adding he doesn’t expect fans to “get out of hand” during the next series.

“People have been excited and people have been generally happy because of the outcomes, maybe that will change if it moves the other way at some point, but people have been very happy with the Canucks winning,” Hollands added.

In preparation for larger crowds during the second round, The Kal is going to open more seating and standing room, while The Roster has opened a back lounge that can be rented out and the golf simulator room has been equipped with a television for people to watch the game while also playing a round.