Score! How the Atlanta Hawks’ Historic Playoff Run Revived Downtown Businesses
The Atlanta Hawks’ recent Playoffs run didn’t just excite fans and spark buzz all across the state—it also gave a long-awaited boost to downtown businesses and tourism, helping the metro Atlanta economy to bounce back after a slow recovery since the coronavirus pandemic started. As fans drove in from all across the state, excitement was in the air and Atlantans had something fresh and exhilarating to cheer on, which proved to be enough to revive the dining and nightlife scene, especially in the State Farm Arena and Centennial Olympic Park area.
As vaccination rates rise, restrictions subside and the summer progresses, people have already been getting back in the action and going out more, but this renewed interest in the downtown area may be a turning point for businesses that relied so heavily on tourism and big events. Although the Hawks missed their chance to move on to the Finals, the Atlanta event scene is getting back in the swing of things with the return of the Peachtree Road Race and Music Midtown festival, so there is plenty more for people to be a part of and celebrate downtown.
Ever since the economy dipped and businesses shuttered in March 2020, the popular dining and nightlife hotspots surrounding Centennial Olympic Park continued to struggle even after the economy reopened. But ever since the Hawks qualified for the Playoffs, notable restaurants like Hudson Grille and Meehan’s Public House have reported a remarkable boost in business. Hudson Grille says business has increased by 20%, and they now make $70,000 some days when they only made around $1,000 during the pandemic lows.
One of the Hawks’ main jersey sponsors, Sharecare, also earned a publicity boost from the renewed attention. Sharecare is a major health technology startup based in Atlanta that’s revolutionizing the healthcare industry through their mobile app. Co-founded by Dr. Oz and backed by Oprah, the startup already has major investments, but the widely-watched Playoffs have brought even more interest. Sharecare also went public recently, so it was perfect timing.
The business bounce back has also aided restaurants in the Woodruff Park and Georgia State University area, such as Anatolia Café. Restaurants in this area rely heavily on students, businesspeople and construction workers to stay afloat, and since school still isn’t fully back in session and surrounding office buildings continue to work from home, they’ve been stuck in a waiting game. But fortunately, students will be back on campus and (almost) back to normal this fall semester and more people will be back to work as employment checks run out, so there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for these long-standing businesses.
