Fans come from far and wide for UK football games, but when all
of these people are not tailgating, what are they doing? The answer, pretty
simply, is shopping or eating (and drinking). Retail stores and restaurants
experience huge retail surges on game days, this is because people from out of
town come to Lexington to see the Wildcats play and then want to spend their
time here wisely. Most UK fans do not have the retail options that Lexington
has in their hometowns and (especially during the holiday season) want to get
some shopping done while they are in town. So they head to Fayette Mall or
Hamburg before night games and after morning games. Retail stores recognize
this and actually schedule employees and sales around the football schedule.
The Big Blue Nation is not always shopping, however. Whether or
not our team wins or loses, every fan wants to celebrate (or mourn) with some
food and drinks! Places on campus, such as Hugh Jass and Tin Roof, are great
places for local fans to go. Often times, the restaurants on the outbound roads
in Lexington see the most traffic after games. Harry's and Drake's, which are
off campus, see a huge rush after games. Both are adorned with TVs recapping
the game's highlights. Cocktail servers are dressed in their UK best as they
serve UK fans appetizers and drinks. On a typical Saturday, fans of all teams
fill Harry's eating and cheering on their favorite time on one of the many TVs.
The party can last throughout the night (well, at least until Harry's closes at
1 am). Overall, UK fans want to gather together after the game, share some
food, and recall the game in a fun and upbeat environment.
10 comments:
I have noticed that there is a very large population growth around campus on game days. It seems like not one person would miss a good day of wildcat football! My first time going to Hugh Jass restaurant was right after a football game got let out, and the place was packed. It being my first time I thought that is how it was every day around lunch, I had no idea it was due to the game day retail surge. I feel like it makes sense for retail and dinning place sales to be up before and after the game because of all the out of town people that come.
I have learned the hard way about fans on game day. I work at the mall and the crowds are nuts on Saturdays on a normal basis but game days are even worse. I noticed last football season how stores actually increase their prices on game days. I had relatives in for the game and they wanted to stock up on Kentucky gear while they were here so I took them to Wildcat Wearhouse on Southland Drive and was in complete shock at the prices. Everything was extremely overpriced however fans were still shopping. I don't think out-of-towners realize how much prices were jacked up. Also, eating out on game days is no longer and option for me. I avoid all restaurant on game day because whether the game is home or away they are packed. Last away game I went to Tinroof and it was a madhouse! It is always fun to experience a win with a huge crowed around you!
This weekend I am having some people coming from out of state to hang out and watch a UK game. The only other thing they have said they want to do is go out to eat. I'm sure that this is not something that just my friends want to do either. I am sure that this makes for a huge surge in the amount of business stores and restaurants have on game days. I personally don't ever go out on game days, waiting in lines to go and eat at places I can go all the time is never very appealing. This weekend I am going to be part of the crowds heading into Huge Jass after the game.
I have noticed from the past few weekends the mall looks like Christmas is closer than two months away. It looks like Christmas Eve every single weekend that there is a UK game. I didn't understand what the crowd was for, and why they weren't at the Uk game! Any and every restaurant after the football games are packed especially Drakes and Harrys. I use to work at Harrys, and we would get a rush of crowd right when the game let out, it felt like everyone came together because it was one huge crowd of people. I understand why it's like this because of people that live out of town and Lexington is the closest city with good retail and restaurants to out of town people.
The overwhelming traffic in malls and restaurant areas is HUGE on game days. If there is a morning or evening football game, you can guarantee that the mall will be packed! I think the people who follow this trend are mainly fans from out of town, because they want to eat before they start their drive home. Most students probably stay on or very near campus to avoid driving in the traffic and the long waits at restaurants. Personally, I'm more likely to wait a couple of hours to let the traffic die down!
I have definitely noticed how many people go to the mall before and after games and it's pretty outrageous. If you enjoy "people watching", that is the time to do it. For me, I try to avoid it if I can due to the heavy traffic. Eating is the route I like to take. Wherever I go to grab some food, I love talking to other fans about how the team performed. It's fun to meet other people that support the same team and just talk about football or basketball. Without a doubt, one of my favorite things to do over the weekend is sit at a restaurant and watch the other games and talk to some other Wildcat faithful.
-John Tewes
This article has a very good point. I work at the mall and the amount of traffic during game days is much larger then none game days. When there are home games it really does seem like people all head out to the mall. I know that at my store we have a small section of UK stuff and it all sells like crazy before the home games. Still I know that I was shocked the first time that I worked during a home game day.
Before I came to Lexington for school I often visited. One of the reasons I did was for the UK football games. Like the article said, I always did shopping and went out to eat either before or after the game. Now that I live here I really realize how many people do go to the mall and eat out on game days. The mall is even more packed than on a regular weekend. I do think that retailers and restaurants notice and plan for this.
I think retailers see a great deal of shoppers on game days. It's true that if you aren't from the area you are going to get stuff since you are here anyways. Also some people shop before the games, especially for some new blue wildcat clothing. Or if it suddenly gets cold out, they will quick go buy a sweatshirt or long-sleeve. I think another point there didn't mention is that even while them games are going on, other students who aren't into athletics are probably at the mall shopping and going because it's something to do. I think the athletic programs here with home games has really only helped bring in more business to the Lexington retailers. I like that they added a bit on the food industry as well, because who doesn't like grabbing a bite to eat win or lose after sitting in the stands for a few hours?
El Blum
Even the most oblivious people in Lexington knows when the Cats play. With traffic and crowds everywhere it is hard to find an easy way to get anywhere. I think these crowds are what keeps a lot of places in business in Lexington. When people come to town for game days the majority of hotels in Lexington are booked. Even the hotels that are further away from campus are jam packed with UK fans which is very good for the businesses that aren't downtown or close to campus.
-Abbie Wilkerson
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