PawSox leaving likely to impact local businesses

By: Chloe Leshner

cleshner@abc6.com

@ChloeLeshner

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Islanders have had a few days to let the news that the PawSox are leaving the state sink in. But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a huge loss for the city and state. Business owners are now looking to the future wondering what impact it will have on their bottom lines.

No doubt about it, the businesses around McCoy stadium see more customers when the PawSox are playing at home. Customers they won’t be able to bank on in 2 years.

Is the new PawSox deal a swing and a miss for local businesses?

"I would imagine they’re going to lose some customers, people aren’t going to come around this area as often as they would, at least in the summer anyway," says Timothy Seward, who has lived in Pawtucket his entire life. He’s sad to see the PawSox go.

Most restaurants and shops surrounding McCoy see a boost in business during baseball season.

"When they play at home, we get more business. We see a lot of families come in here, a lot of players come in here," says John Stratas, the owner of House of Pizza.

His shop is about a quarter mile down the road from McCoy.

"We’ve been here since ’72. The Pawtucket Red Sox came a year later, ’73. We’re very happy with them, they gave us business too, we see a lot of families come into the store," says Stratas. He says he was hopeful they’d build at the old Apex site.

"Real estate would’ve gone a little higher, if they stayed here, but now they’re moving, it’s a loss for the city," he says.

There were plans for redevelopment downtown slated to bring in millions of dollars in revenue. Now, that seems to be on hold. But smaller businesses still have 2 years to figure out just how much of an impact the team leaving will have on them.

With a busy lunch rush at House of Pizza, they think they’ll be okay.

"Is it going to impact us? I don’t think so because we have our steady customers," he says.

PawSox ownership did say they want to work with Mayor Grebien to develop the city.
Meanwhile, the Worcester City Council will get their first detailed look at the finances behind the ballpark tomorrow.

(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018