Local shops and restaurants see a surge in sales as postseason buzz returns to the Queen City.<\/p>\n
CHARLOTTE, N.C. \u2014 After four years without a playoff appearance, the buzz is back in the Queen City.<\/p>\n
As the Hornets<\/a> prepare for postseason play, it\u2019s not just fans celebrating. Businesses across Charlotte say the team\u2019s success is already translating into stronger sales.<\/p>\n From sports bars to retail shops, the excitement surrounding the Hornets\u2019 playoff berth is driving more customers through the door.<\/p>\n \u201cEven the last few weeks, we\u2019ve just seen far more customers coming in, excited to go to home games,\u201d J.D. Harris, owner of Glory Days Apparel, said. \u201cWant to gear up, get some new, fresh stuff to look good at the arena.\u201d<\/p>\n Stores like Glory Days, which sell team merchandise, say Hornets gear is flying off the shelves as fans look to show their support.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, it helps the sales, which helps keep a small business like ours in business, which is great,\u201d Harris said.<\/p>\n RELATED: Kon Knueppel breaks NBA’s rookie three-point record<\/a><\/p>\n Harris said the recent surge feels similar to past playoff excitement in Charlotte, particularly during runs by the Carolina Panthers, when fan engagement and spending also spiked.<\/p>\n \u201cKind of seeing that again, like with the Panthers playoff run, we do see a big boost, and it\u2019s huge,\u201d Harris said. \u201cOn top of sales, the best part is just seeing fans excited.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hornets are also leaning into that local energy. The team recently teamed up with Charlotte-based brand 704 Shop on a special apparel collection available exclusively inside the Spectrum Center fan shop.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing from Charlotte, us being a Charlotte-based hometown pride brand, to be able to collaborate with the Charlotte Hornets, just means so much to us,\u201d said Chris Moxley, co-founder of 704 Shop. \u201cIt\u2019s never really been about how good the team is going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n The timing of the collaboration comes as interest in the team reaches a peak. Tonight marks the final home game for the Charlotte Hornets before the playoffs \u2014 a last opportunity for fans to pack Uptown and build momentum heading into the postseason.<\/p>\n Business owners say they\u2019re hopeful the team\u2019s run continues, noting the longer the Hornets stay in the playoffs, the greater the potential economic impact for the city.<\/p>\n Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com<\/a> and follow him on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n