World Cup business buzz

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is creating some positive economic spin-off in Hamilton.

When you drive down King St. you see cars with country flags out their windows, on Main St. people are wearing different country colours supporting their team and at any bar on Augusta St. the game is on and inside are patrons.

In Burlington, it’s the same story. Hopefully, you can walk in the Irish pub, “Queen’s Head” and avoid a line, like what happened when England played Italy.

“Our inside capacity is 225 and we were at capacity,” the owner Ed Catley said “couple that with the patio with the sound of music that’s another 300. We were extremely busy.”

Catley couldn’t pull any official numbers on how much business has increased since the beginning of the World Cup, but the owner suggests it’s approximately a 15% increase.

“It absolutely increases it,” Catley said “they may come out to the pubs 3 or 4 times during that time frame instead of once or twice.”

Ray’s Food Market Convenience turns into a FIFA fevered house whenever the World Cup takes center stage. Inside the store, people buy hats, wristbands, flags and other items that any ordinary convenience store would sell.

The owner, Faris Salem says revenue is up 20% thanks to the World Cup.

“It increased business, traffic flow, more excited people, more happy people,” Salem said “they buy more stuff when they get into the store, you sell them one flag, they buy other stuff, so it’s amazing.”

The 2014 World Cup wraps-up in Brazil mid-July.