Team Canada fever bringing business boost to Maritime restaurants

Many Maritime pubs are cashing in on the public’s interest in Team Canada.

Statistically, February is one of the hardest months for the restaurant industry.

“This time of year, and just in general, the industry is having a tough time,” said Gerry Duffy, general manager at the Lion’s Head Tavern in Halifax’s north end. “Things are getting more expensive. Everyone knows, they see it in their own groceries and how much that costs. It costs us just as much and we have to pay for people to make the food and service to bring your food and so on.

“Expenses are at an all time high. We employ a lot of people and everybody needs to make some money to pay for their bills.”

Danielle Doucette with the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia (RANS) says restaurants are barley breaking even across Canada.

“Restaurants across the country are operating at a 40 per cent loss or break even,” she said. “After the holidays, everybody is so full of delicious food, and they’ve been out over the holidays with friends and family that they kind of calm down. There’s dry January, and then February is also very slow.”

But the ongoing games in Italy are igniting interest at Maritime pubs. Restaurant owners and managers around Halifax Regional Municipality told CTV News Atlantic that men’s and women’s hockey are garnering the bulk of interests.

“I would say we’re definitely getting some interest. People are wanting to know if it’s on and what events are going to be on the big screen and so on,” said Duffy. “The big turnouts come when you get to those elimination games. People want to come and see something when it’s on the line.”

Duffy said if the men’s and women’s national hockey teams make it to the gold medal game, they could see a bigger turnout than Super Bowl weekend.

“I would expect to fill the place pretty much,” he said.

The men’s gold medal game will take place at 9:10 a.m. on Feb. 22.