DENVER — With Opening Day for the Rockies less than 24 hours away, new LoDo area businesses are getting ready to welcome thousands of baseball enthusiasts to their businesses for the first time.
For some businesses, it’s the same song and dance every year. For others, it’s their first year open for business and they’re excited for the rush.
Wonderyard Garden + Table opened three weeks ago at 22nd and Larimer Streets.
“We are blocks away, you can toss a baseball to the field I feel,” said Robert Duran, the general manager for Wonderyard Garden + Table. “We are looking forward to seeing lots of baseball fans, lots of happy people excited for the summer season.”
Downtown Denver Partnership said Opening Day ranked as the fourth busiest day for foot traffic around Coors Field last season. Only the July 4th weekend against the Tigers and a July series against the Yankees ranked higher.
“We are always excited every year when they begin, you know, it’s full of optimism,” said Max Morrow, the chef, and owner of 5 on Lawrence.
Morrow has been around for every Opening Day, but this will be his first time behind the grill with the new sports bar.
“The pregame is what everyone is mostly interested in,” said Morrow. “Last year we had a really disappointing season and we still finished 14 in the league in attendance.”
Last year's Rockies season finished with 103 losses and 59 wins was not as impressive as the fan turnout for those games. The Rockies averaged 32,196 fans per home game last season, compared to about 29,295 for MLB.
“I think a lot of that has to do with the socialization around baseball here in the city,” Duran said.
Mother Nature puts in work on the front end. “I mean a 75-degree day, who can beat it,” Morrow said.
Rockies fans continue to cross their fingers even if a fairy tale ending for the home team feels far-fetched.
“We hope for the best but plan for the worst,” Morrow said.
“We are hoping for a very magical season for the Rockies as always,” Duran said.
Buy tickets for Opening Day weekend at Coors Field.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports