From bars to sportswear stores, businesses close to guaranteed rate field hope White Sox make playoffs – CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) –The White Sox, who will make the playoffs, arrived in Houston on Wednesday ready to face the Astros.

But back on their home turf in the Bridgeport community, the Companies are hoping the playoffs will hit a home run for their results.

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CBS 2’s Steven Graves spoke to business owners on 33rd Street Wednesday.

Just in the shadow of the Guaranteed rate field, two bars – Turtle Bar & Grill, 238 W. 33rd St., and Cork & Kerry at the park, 3259 S. Princeton Ave. – see a shared excitement.

“For our beloved White Sox, we stood by them through everything, good or bad,” said Carrie Stegmiller, Manager of Turtle.

“When the playoff schedule came out the phone started ringing,” said Cork & Kerry owner Bill Guide.

And there were a lot of questions for people hoping to attend the games.

“I’m already getting call after call – are you taking reservations? Do you have any promotions going on? Said Stegmiller.

No reservations are taken at Turtle’s. But the real special is just being able to put on a playoff night that feels close to normal.

“So it’s just a mixture of emotions,” Stegmiller said.

The White Sox’s brief playoff appearance last year threw a curveball – bringing excitement, but fewer fans.

“We’re going to follow all the rules we’re supposed to follow – that they can be inside, and they have to have masks if they don’t eat or drink,” Stegmiller said.

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But if anything good has come of these changing times, it’s the presence of more tables on the sidewalk and on the streets to attract more business – at a time when it is more than needed.

At Cork & Kerry, Guide has prepared to welcome more people for the away matches. But sourcing for owners of the bar industry has been more difficult since the COVID hit.

“Everything from some whiskeys to some beers – Anheuser Busch has a glass shortage and there have been aluminum shortages on the other side – so it’s a struggle,” Guide said.

Meanwhile, the sportswear is ready to be sold at Tribune, 600 W. 35th St.

“Our excitement is probably as high as it could be,” said owner Josh Ganal.

But there is also anxiety for what lies ahead.

“Probably through the roof, just because we have to carry it all, right?” And making sure we have enough supplies, ”he said.

“Everyone is crammed and ready all in black,” said owner Stephanie Ganal.

The pandemic has raised concerns about the survival of the forum. They had to build a website and adapt – position themselves for the profits of the playoffs.

“We’re not there yet, but it definitely helps us survive,” said Stéphanie Ganal.

“It’s something we have been looking forward to and hoping for – and the season has been everything we wanted,” added Guide. “We just want a little more.”

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The Sox play in Houston Thursday afternoon and Friday. Game of three shifts in the field at guaranteed rate Sunday evening.