Friday would have marked the beginning of the the College World Series with the Opening Ceremonies at TD Ameritrade Park.
It's the latest major downtown event to get canceled due to COVID-19 and has many businesses reeling during a season that is typically very lucrative.
The Dugout owner Rich Tocheim tells 6 News the whole reason his business is downtown is because of CWS. He has been selling sporting apparel to CWS fans for 24 years.
“To not have the series is devastating. It’s just, it’s kind of thrown our business for a loop,” he says Tocheim counts on large sporting events to bring in the majority of his customers. Without them, he’s been forced to cut prices just to keep some money circulating.
“So no teams played, people just aren’t excited about buying the apparel,” he says.
COVID-19, curfews, and the lack of sports fans in town Thursday night has left the Happy Bar at 16th and California Streets pretty quiet as well. “It’s jammed for 14 days in here. So sure, it’ll take a bite out of us just like everyone else,” owner Robert Pascarella tells 6 News.
With the series canceled, thousands of temporary jobs no longer available according to CWS Executive Director Kathryn Morrissey.
“A lot of them have said they’re going to miss the camaraderie of working with the people that they always do this time of year. They’re going to miss showcasing the city, they’re going to miss rolling out the red carpet,” Morrissey tells 6 News.
Businesses in the area told 6 News the best way to support them and help them through this rough period is to come and invest your dollars in local businesses that are following health directives.