Win benefits local businesses

Last month, the IU basketball team brought home a huge win against rival team Kentucky, then No. 1 in the country.

But some unexpected winners came out of the event — businesses on Kirkwood Avenue.

After the win, students who weren’t already on Kirkwood to watch the game rushed to the street, spilling out of bars and restaurants and celebrating the win in a block party.

In all of the celebration, more money was spent at the businesses located on Kirkwood, resulting in higher-than-usual financial gains.

Nick’s English Hut was one of the businesses to experience a jump in sales, said Susan Bright, the bar’s financial analyst.

“It was electrifying,” Bright said. “It was like we were in the NCAA Final Four game, and we had just won.

“I’ve been there for Final Four games, so I can compare the Kentucky game to a Final Four game in like 1987, and it was exactly the same.”

Bright said the game drew more fans than usual, with people lining up to get into Nick’s to watch the game, and spectators spent more than they might have on a normal Saturday.

“Compared to a normal Saturday, I wouldn’t say it doubled sales for the day, but we probably had a 40 percent increase,” Bright said. “And it wasn’t just after the game. It was before, during and after.”

Another bar on Kirkwood, the Crazy Horse, also experienced financial gains, said General Manager Brian Radermacher. However, for them, the gains were more long-term than immediate.

“It’s hard to say for just that day, but I think the increase you’re going to see is in the games following that game,” Radermacher said. “It’s nice to see more people coming in from out of town.”

Radermacher said now that IU is winning, people are more likely to travel to Bloomington to watch the games, either at a bar or at Assembly Hall.

Crazy Horse has seen a decrease in sales in previous years because of the IU basketball team’s losses, Radermacher said.

“Now, we again feel we have a chance to win every game,” Radermacher said. “That is where we’re seeing an increase in sales.”

Radermacher said this has been a trend he’s noticed in basketball games since the Kentucky game, and he also said he thinks the team’s wins have helped commerce throughout Bloomington.

“I think it’s helped all the businesses around town,” he said. “I think it’s helped Bloomington in general. There’s a buzz in the air now, and it’s nice. It’s nice to have it again.”