Arlington is nearing the end of its World Cup hosting duties, with only a semifinal match left to play. The tournament has brought thousands of soccer fans to the city, but not all local businesses have seen the expected economic boost.

Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, said that businesses offering quintessential Texas experiences have seen a significant impact from World Cup traffic. However, other businesses have not seen the same level of increase in sales.

Business Owners Share Their Experiences

Beronica Jimenez, owner of Mi Tesoro Thrift, said her store has seen normal foot traffic, but not an increase in customers. Alma Sardas, owner of Daydream Bookstore Cafe, also reported that her business has not seen a significant increase in sales, despite offering promotions to attract soccer fans.

On the other hand, some businesses have seen a massive uptick in sales during the matches. J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill owner Randy Ford reported a four or five times increase in sales on match days, with a large number of locals coming out to watch the U.S. and Mexico games on television.

Connecting Businesses With Fans

Garret Martin, incoming president of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, said that the tournament has served as a test for the revitalized downtown area. He noted that one of the largest takeaways has been figuring out how to connect businesses with the fans they want to cater to.

Martin pointed to the example of K-pop group BTS’s upcoming concert in August as an opportunity for businesses to create an authentic experience that connects with fans. He also highlighted the importance of bridging the area between the downtown area and the Entertainment District.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.