ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) — Businesses in Orchard Park are preparing for another home playoff game, considering this Saturday and Sunday a ‘busy business bonus’ for their establishments.
“We get a good crowd for all the home and away games but having bonus playoff games like this is a great boon to all the bars and restaurants around the stadium,” said co-owner of The Byrd House restaurant Brendan Biggane.
“It’s just a really fun day all the way around, especially playoffs make it that much fun [to be around],” Biggane continued.
The Bills making the playoffs every year is never a guarantee, let alone hosting two playoff games in a row. Biggane said whenever the Bills go deep into a playoff run, that heightened energy and enthusiasm bleeds over into the local businesses.
Some bars and restaurants have even seen a surge of Bills front office and team members stopping by to grab a bite.
“They’re not only our team, but they’re our community members as well, and we love having them here,” Biggane said. “Josh [Allen]’s mom and dad have been here a bunch of times pre-gaming and it’s just it’s a One Buffalo thing, let’s put it that way.”
Not only are fans heading to Orchard Park to grab good eats, but they are also grabbing gear — the Bills’ recent success and six-game unbeaten streak is motivating more fans to dress in fresh charging Buffalo swag.
“Definitely helped increase my number of sweatshirts,” said Scott Sprigg. “I wore four of them last week and they’ll be pulled out for tomorrow as well.”
Even some more practical items were flying off the shelves Saturday.
“We got a new small football for my little flag football quarterback over here,” Sprigg said as he played catch with his son Dylan outside of the Bills Store.
“More apparel, more everything you know, we just went to grab a burger up in town here and the place was packed,” said Bills fan Jay Casper. “A lot of restaurants doing a lot of business up here.”
Still, as some fans undoubtedly know, you can’t replace every piece of game day threads.
“Same shirt though, for every win. I have not washed this shirt so I mean, it could be helping,” Maria Casper said.
Justin McMullen is a Western New York native who joined the News 4 team in 2023. You can read more of his work here.
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