CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – We are just days away from playoff football in Charlotte.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Carolina Panthers are preparing for a postseason matchup as they take on the Los Angeles Rams.
The players and coaches aren’t the only ones preparing for this weekend; local businesses are too.
Fans are ready to watch the Panthers try to pull off a victory in the first round of the wild-card matchups.
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Businesses and fans say even if this is a brief appearance in the post-season, the Charlotte area and beyond will see a big benefit from this weekend’s game.
While it’s quiet now, Matt Wohlfarth at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille knows Saturday will be a different story.
“We’re expecting people that’ll probably get here right when we open at 11 and then probably the big push will be around 2 o’clock,” he said.
With playoff football back in Charlotte, he’s ensuring his staff is ready for the extra fans expected for the Panthers game.
“We’ll have the people who live next door who walk across the street like usual, but these are the Carolina Panthers, and people come in from Boone, and they come in from Raleigh and Clemson, and they’re going to stay the night or come a night early,” Wohlfarth said.
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He isn’t the only business owner thrilled to see postseason football back in Charlotte.
J.D. Harris owns Glory Days Apparel, and said he’s expecting to see more foot traffic during what can be a slow shopping season.
“When they’re winning, we’re always going to see more of an influx because people are just excited in the city, whether they’re from here or not,” Harris said. “You want that energy in Charlotte. It makes it a lot more fun here. Seeing the excitement with people and getting the DMs and emails from people just excited and like, ‘Okay, are you going to do this? Do you have this in the store?’ So it’s a great feeling.”
Even the fans buying their brand-new NFC South Champions gear from the team store know this game is bigger than what happens on the field.
“It’s a shot in the arm. A lot of people are coming into town. A lot of people will be here all day Saturday, probably coming in Friday night, hanging out till Sunday. So big weekend for the local economy, local restaurants,” said Matt Ward, a life-long Panthers fan.
They’re ready for 4:30 Saturday afternoon when the battle really begins.
“I feel like we’re kind of playing with house money,” Ward said. “We beat the Rams. The weather’s ugly. They got to travel, right? We got home-field advantage. I think we got a little something for Matthew Stafford this weekend.”
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