St. Pete Businesses Report Record Rush as World Series Fans Arrive

St. Petersburg businesses are drawing heavy crowds tied to the World Series, with shop owners saying customer volume has hit its highest point of the year ahead of game four. Merchants across downtown reported lines forming outside storefronts as visitors arrived for watch parties, pep rallies and street closures staged around the games.

Poppo's Taqueria operator Kyle Frantz said the past few days have been his busiest period ever, with foot traffic driven by people passing the restaurant's open front window. "Having all these extra people come in, they don't know us, we have the front window open, they smell the food and that just brings people in," Frantz said.

Grassroots Kava House owner Kenneth Hoyumpa said the tourism has benefited the area regardless of how the series turns out. "We're glad that people are coming in from all over the Tampa Bay Area, as well as the nation to come visit this awesome slice of St. Petersburg," Hoyumpa said.

Kirk Everhard, a Milwaukee Brewers fan who attended game three, said he spent time on Central Avenue visiting restaurants and shops. "Oh, we've been up and down Central Avenue here, you know all the businesses have been more than welcoming to us," Everhard said. He added that visitors are booking Airbnbs and hotels near the stadium, calling the inflow a major revenue event for the area.

Frantz said the street closures, watch parties and rallies tied to the series have brought steady activity to his business. He framed the week as a positive outcome for local operators regardless of the final score: "Win or lose, we've had great people in town, and great people who live here and support their team, so it's a win for everybody."

Game four is scheduled next in the series.