A business close to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has lamented the fact that the World Cup has impacted their trade.
Hosting the World Cup will have brought billions into the United States of America this summer.
While the US is part-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, the bulk of the action is taking place on US soil, with 11 host cities spread across the country.
However, one New Jersey restaurant is not reaping the rewards one might initially imagine when considering so much footfall during the festival of soccer.
Restaurant manager explains why World Cup is bad for business
Steve’s Sizzling Steaks is only a five-minute walk from the MetLife (renamed the ‘New York New Jersey Stadium’ due to branding rules during the World Cup) in Carlstadt, New Jersey.
As such, it would seem like a prime location for supporters who are going to the stadium to watch a World Cup match.
However, according to manager Henry Ditonto, business has fallen by 60% on some match days.
That is largely seen because the state has been issuing gridlock alerts, while warning drivers to stay away from certain roads on a matchday.
Ditonto told Channel 7 Eyewitness News: “Why all of sudden do they want to tell us where the traffic is? They’re never concerned about that the rest of the year. But now? Now when we want traffic.”
The eatery has been owned by the same family since 1936 and counts the likes of Elvis Presley, Billy Martin and George Martin as previous customers.
The report adds that the business has taken to putting a webcam in the parking lot to show potential customers that it is not too busy to get a table.
The MetLife has already held five World Cup matches and will host a few more before the tournament is over.
One round of 32 match (June 30), one last 16 match (July 5) and the World Cup final (July 19) will also be held there.
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