Baltimore Orioles Expected To Bring Big Business To City
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In just a few days, the birds of summer will be back in Baltimore. The Orioles home opener is this Friday.
Jessica Kartalija explains that means big business, not only for Baltimore, but the entire state!
Area businesses can't wait until the birds are back. They are gearing up for the start of the season rush and hoping the O's play as well as they did last season.
When you clinch the AL East, then go on to the American League Championship Series, there's high hopes for the season ahead.
At the Inner Harbor, bars, restaurants and hotels can't wait for Opening Day. They're hoping that another winning season will continue to further boost their bottom line.
"Lots of orange and black in town, and that makes us happy," said Meghan Walsh, with the Hard Rock Cafe.
The Hard Rock at the harbor has become a pre- and post-game hotspot.
"We've got our deck open, we've got happy hour going, live music. So we are ready to go," Walsh said.
"All the hotels in downtown are checked out, all the hotels in Harbor East are checked out, restaurants are full, bars are full, shopping takes place," Tom Noonan, CEO of Visit Baltimore, said.
Noonan says Orioles baseball is a great play for all of Maryland.
"It impacts the region, it impacts out by the airport, even the Eastern Shore. So, it has a huge economic engine for not even just the city of Baltimore, but for the entire region," Noonan said.
Orange crush specials in the bar, while upstairs, rooms at the Four Seasons are booking up fast for Opening Day.
"A lot of travelers that come from D.C. and Virginia to stay and spend the weekend with us," said Julien Carralero, general manager of the Four Seasons.
First pitch marks the start of Maryland's tourism season.
Kartalija: "We have Opening Day, followed by Preakness. What does this do for the hotel's bottom line?"
Carralero: "First quarter is always a little bit tough because of the winter season. But for us, it's certainly very beneficial."
For all of us,here's hoping the Orioles have another winning season.
"It's great when the Orioles do well, because we do well," Walsh said.
Most bars and restaurants downtown are offering opening day specials. Some will continue through the entire season. Hopefully, that means specials all the way through October.
