Hornets Playoff Return Drives Sales Surge for Charlotte Businesses

The Charlotte Hornets' first playoff appearance in four years has sparked a spending boom. Local shops and eateries see packed aisles and dining rooms as fans prep for postseason action.

J.D. Harris owns Glory Days Apparel. Customers have swarmed his shop in recent weeks hunting team gear. "Even the last few weeks, we've just seen far more customers coming in, excited to go to home games," Harris said, according to WCNC. "Want to gear up, get some new, fresh stuff to look good at the arena."

Team merchandise flies off shelves. Fans want to show their loyalty. "Obviously, it helps the sales, which helps keep a small business like ours in business, which is great," Harris said.

Harris drew parallels to Carolina Panthers playoff runs from years past, when spending jumped and crowds thickened at storefronts throughout the region. "Kind of seeing that again, like with the Panthers playoff run, we do see a big boost, and it's huge," Harris said. "On top of sales, the best part is just seeing fans excited."

The Hornets teamed up with 704 Shop on an apparel line sold exclusively at the Spectrum Center fan shop. Chris Moxley co-founded 704 Shop. He says this partnership means everything to his hometown operation.

"Being from Charlotte, us being a Charlotte-based hometown pride brand, to be able to collaborate with the Charlotte Hornets, just means so much to us," Moxley said. "It's never really been about how good the team is going to be."

The rush arrives as anticipation builds. Tonight marks the final home contest before playoffs begin, giving supporters one last opportunity to pack Uptown streets and fuel the frenzy.

Business owners want this playoff streak to last. The deeper the Hornets advance, the bigger the windfall for Charlotte's economy.