Suburban businesses battling Blackhawks for attention

The Tampa Bay Lightning aren't the only ones in for a beating at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks today.

There are chilled Thai lobster spring rolls that will likely go uneaten. Vinnie Chase and his boys from the “Entourage” movie probably won't have great opening weekend numbers. The applause for any home runs hit at the Schaumburg Boomers game could be a smattering of what one would normally get.

It's going to be a lovely Saturday evening in June, but most of suburban Chicago wouldn't know it and doesn't care because the Blackhawks are playing for another chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.

“I have about a third of the reservations we'd normally have for a Saturday,” said Debbie Williams, owner of Adelle's Fine American Fare in downtown Wheaton. “I'm hoping they win in four so we can get back to normal.”

For the third time in six years, the Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Finals. Which everyone agrees is great, but ...

“Realistically we realize the Blackhawks are going to put a dent in the attendance of fans who might walk up to the gate and buy a ticket,” said Boomers President and General Manager Pete Laven. “But they can come and duck into the gift shop where the game will be on and catch some of the action as well. We understand the mentality.”

First pitch at Boomers Stadium is just a few minutes before the 6:15 p.m. puck drop in Tampa.

Even if the Blackhawks hadn't made it to the finals, many suburban businesses anticipate a June swoon thanks to a combination of competing attractions, most notably the weather. And fortunately for many business owners, they're prepared since they've had practice dealing with sporting events capturing the attention of the majority of the population this time of year.

“The success of the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup playoffs over the past several years has affected attendance on game days at Zanies Comedy Clubs,” admitted Zanies spokesman Rick Gieser, “but not nearly as significantly as the Bulls during the championship runs. In the 1990s, the only thing people wanted to watch was the Bulls.”

Classic Cinemas Marketing Manager Mark Mazrimas had the same thought.

“It does give me flashbacks to the Bulls with the Jordan era when we definitely saw a drop off back then,” he said.

But Mazrimas said he expected attendance at the company's 12 suburban and downstate theaters to fare the Blackhawks storm well.

“The ‘Entourage' movie probably won't do as well because it's the same audience, guys versus hockey,” he said. “But there are also more opportunities to see movies. You can still squeeze in a movie and watch the hockey game.”

The dominance of the Blackhawks in recent years has led many to expect the competition for the public's attention.

“At this point, it's almost a rite of spring,” Laven said. “We just hope it's a sweep.”

And it's bittersweet for most because as Blackhawks fans, they don't get to watch many of the games because they're too busy running competing operations.

“It's always a tough battle between rooting for your team and rooting for your business,” Mazrimas said. “But it'd be worse if this were a pivotal game.”

That's how Williams feels as well.

“I am glad I'll get to watch more of the game, but I'd rather have a busy night and just catch the score occasionally,” she said. “But once the game is over just know that we have discounted appetizers starting at 9 p.m.”