It will now be at least December before the Nashville Predators face off at Bridgestone Arena. The National Hockey League started cancelling games today. And the longer the NHL lockout drags on, the more local businesses expect to feel its absence.
The Village Pub in Nashville’s Inglewood neighborhood isn’t a sports bar, but it often fills up when the Predators play. Owner Jesse Hamilton is a fan.
“My wife and I are season ticket holders. She’s also my co-owner and business partner.”
While the lockout may well put a dent in Hamilton’s business, he says the pub doesn’t have it as bad as some places. He’s hoping the November cancellation is the last before players get back on the ice.
“The pattern of business for the hockey crowd generally trends towards later in the season. So folks start tuning into that bigtime come January, come the playoff push, and of course the playoffs themselves. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed here that’s still going to be the part of the season that happens.”
Rumors are swirling as to whether the lockout will end up scuttling one of the season’s biggest events – the Winter Classic. The outdoor game on New Year’s Day often draws in viewers who don’t regularly watch hockey. Hamilton says it’s usually a big day for the pub – and wouldn’t be a bad way to finally start the season.
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