Fresno Grizzlies Opening Night Boosts Some Downtown Businesses

With more than 12,000 people attending the opening night for the Fresno Grizzlies, it’s a time some downtown businesses look forward to all year.

Across the street from Chukchansi Park, the Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company is busy with people enjoying the music, food trucks and beer.

"Give people that are coming out to opening day that may only come once a year–to show them that there’s other things to do in downtown Fresno," said Michael Cruz, president of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company.

Up the Fulton Mall, Peeve’s Public House is also bringing in the crowds for a bite to eat and drinks ahead of the game.

"Peeve’s Pub is a great place to stop before a game, baseball game, soccer game, after the game," said Mike Wells, a Fresno resident and Grizzlies fan.

The owner of Peeve’s Public House, Craig Scharton, is making this a teaching moment for his students who take his Urban Entrepreneurship class at Fresno State.

"They’re there to learn about market potential, and who’s there, and how do you build off existing foot traffic generators like a stadium this night," Scharton said.

Before heading to the Grizzlies game as a group, he’s taking his students on a walking tour of the Fulton Mall on the way there.

"We are learning about how to read the area, figuring out what kind of people are actually coming to downtown, and then what kind of businesses we can open up down here in downtown," said Ian Williams, a student in the class.

While the Grizzlies opening night gave some local businesses a boost, Fresno residents who see the potential for downtown revitalization say there’s a long way to go.

"It should be a thriving downtown. Other cities smaller than ours have thriving downtowns. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t," said Eddie Trevino, a Fresno resident and Grizzlies fan.