Jacksonville businesses reaping benefits of Jaguars playoff push

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars are now in sole control of their playoff destiny. After having won four straight games, the Jaguars now sit at 8-8 on the season with a chance to clinch the AFC South on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. against the divisional rival Tennessee Titans. Now, fans are on the edge of their seats and businesses in downtown Jacksonville are expecting a boom in business.

Action News Jax spoke with David Wood, a chef at Bay Street Bar & Grill in downtown Jacksonville, who says the restaurant typically sees their sales increase by at least five-fold on gamedays for Jaguars home games.

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“We’ll go from, say, $1,500 to $2,000 on a good night to easily $8,000 to $12,000 depending,” stated Wood.

Now, with anticipation higher than ever and the chance for the Jaguars to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 NFL season, Wood says Bay Street Bar & Grill is preparing for a busy weekend ahead.

“We all just dig our heels in and get ready to go full force into the weekend,” Woods said.

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However, it isn’t just local bars and restaurants riding this Jaguars win-streak, as Dana Miller, the owner of Man Cave Barber Shop, says. Even he is seeing the Jaguars effect on his business.

“A lot of people be coming in town, visiting, and they want haircuts cause they wanna look great for the game,” Miller explained. “And with the Jaguars in the position to make the playoffs, it’s really boosting the economy out east, and my shop as a whole.”

When the Jaguars win, so does Miller’s business, as he says a win for the team usually even equates to better tips at his shop.

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“Because they [fans] do a little drinking. You know, when you do a little drinking, you spend a little more,” Miller said with a smile on his face. “So, they really just be having fun and a happy customer makes for a happy shop.”

Local businesses will now be looking forward to the increase in sales this weekend, while the Jaguars look to claw their way into the AFC playoff picture.

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