LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Aviators have been in their new Summerlin ballpark for about six weeks, and they're off to a great start, along with the surrounding businesses.
According to Media Relations Director Jim Gemma, 20 of the 24 home games so far have been sold out, and the team has the highest attendance in the league - averaging about 9,500 people per game.
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MacKenzie River Pizza Pub & Grill is nearby the ballpark and located above the Knights practice facility. The restaurant's General Manager Jason Anderson said he expected business to slow after the Knights season ended.
However, that didn't happen, thanks to the timing of the ballpark opening.
Anderson said people go to his restaurant during happy hour then go the game - bringing in business he wasn't expecting.
"People like to grab a happy hour drink and walk over to the game, and it works out well for us with the Knights offseason," Anderson said.
The Grape Street Wine Bar, located in Downtown Summerlin, has also seen an uptick in business on Aviators home games.
"It's rare that I get new faces at the bar, but actually because of the ballpark I think people are coming in from Henderson and North Las Vegas and the Strip," said Alexandria Spina, bartender at Grape Street Wine Bar.
She also said the summer months usually calm down, but now expecting the momentum of more customers to continue through the heat thanks to the Aviators.
The one downside, according to Spina, is the lack of parking in Downtown Summerlin on game nights, but she said that's an easy price to pay for the great new addition to the area.
