The big Patriots game on Sunday is turning into a big boom for business locally.
At Fasano’s Marketplace in Braintree, Massachusetts, the menu options are all homemade and fresh, according to owner David Fasano.
Fasano says their tailgate special has been selling very well.
“A house or an Italian cold cut platter, Buffalo or plain chicken fingers or chicken wings, comes with potato salad, pasta salad, and then we also throw in some whoopie pies and cupcakes,” Fasano explained.
The Patriots and Texans are two very different teams from places with very different accents.
He added that he hasn’t experienced business during New England playoff football.
“This is the first year since we have owned the business, in four years, that the Pats have been in the playoffs,” he said. “We weren’t sure what to expect, but it has been great for business.”
Braintree Mayor Erin Joyce says these games help local economies.
“For our small businesses, it’s a huge rush,” said Joyce. “Big games bring people out, they’re excited, they want to share the excitement with their friends.”
As New England players prepare to face Houston, we caught up with fans at Patriot Place.
Where to watch the game is different for everyone.
“If you can watch it with friends, you know, then you’d rather do that out, so you don’t have to do the cooking and the cleaning,” said Chrissy Joseph of Braintree.
Sean Conroy, who co-owns Braintree’s Southside Tavern, says the 3 p.m. game time is also a plus.
“Having people around you, cheering with you, it’s fun,” he said. “This is an earlier game, so it will help out a little bit better — better timewise, for people to come out and enjoy it.”