MEMPHIS, Tenn-Memphis Grizzlies fans came from everywhere to cheer on their team.
Some from as far as Indiana. Businesses are feeling the economic impact.
“Believe me, this ain’t no normal Saturday night,” said Jay Wells; manager of Silky’s O’ Sullivan’s.
There was a full house at most businesses in downtown Memphis. Grizzlies fans came from everywhere and that’s good news for Jay Wells. His restaurant is across the street from The Forum.
“There’s not one square foot of space at my place or any place on Beale Street or down Main Street;the ripple effect is just incredible,” he said.
Rochelle Woolard who’s the manager of Oshi Burger Bar echoes that point.
“This team, I think has really pulled this community together as a whole and it’s brought all different types of people together for one cause,” he said.
Woolard says her sales increased by about 20 percent this weekend.
Not all of her customers are from Memphis.
“I had some customers from out of town that had on Grizzlies shirts and I was like hey, are y’all from Memphis and they’re from Atlanta wearing their grizzlies gear which I thought was incredible,” she said.
Large crowds stood outside FedEx Forum before the game, Beale and Main Streets were also packed with Grizzlies fans. Business owners say this helps the city’s morale.
“it’s our time now, grit and grind, we are the Grizzlies. The home of the grit and grind, I love my Grizzlies,” said a Memphis man
