Bucks, businesses adjust to lack of fans for foreseeable future
MILWAUKEE - The days are counting down not only to holiday cheer but also cheers for the first Milwaukee Bucks preseason game next weekend -- scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 at Fiserv Forum.
In the Deer District, there are holiday lights. In the arena, there will soon be basketball. But there won't be fans allowed at games until further notice -- and businesses are making adjustments.
The Mecca Sports Bar and Grill is a restaurant designed for watching live sports. In a year like 2020, though, there are new challenges.
"It’s going to look different than it has in the past, right? The biggest thing is we’re thinking about the safety of everyone first," said Justin Green, Bucks vice president of hospitality.
The Mecca Bar and Grill
The restaurant is owned by the Bucks. With the city's guidelines differing for venues compare to restaurants, the team is actually allowed to have more fans inside The Mecca than could be inside all of Fiserv Forum.
"We can operate safely here. We have plans to operate safely in the arena and to operate just as safely as we do here, but right now we’re just not allowed to," Green said.
The Mecca Bar and Grill
With the way the restaurant is social distancing, around 250 people can have a seat inside for each game -- and they'll play an important role.
"Since we’re not going to be able to have people in the arena, we’re actually going to be pumping sound from the crowd here into the arena. So you will actually be able to cheer on the team from The Mecca, said Green.
Fiserv Forum
While The Mecca expects to be busy on game nights, one downtown restaurant is choosing to stay dark. The owner of Buck Bradley's has decided to temporarily close.
"We’ve been losing approximately about 20 a month, $20,000 a month as it is. That wasn’t getting any better, and it was just getting worse with the winter," said owner Wally Paget.
Buck Bradley's on Old World Third Street in Milwaukee
Paget estimates that upwards of 80% of his business is lost without games and concerns. However, he isn't closing for good.
"Once the Bucks are back, and the Admirals are back, I’m back," Paget said.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
With limited seating available, The Mecca recommends you make a reservation if you want a spot during a bucks game.
More information at themeccamke.com.
Featured
Jrue Holiday says Bucks' trade made him feel 'wanted'
“Them giving up all the pieces that they did, it really, really made me feel like they wanted me to be here,” Holiday said. “That’s always a good feeling.”
Featured
NBA reveals 2020-21 1st half schedule for Milwaukee Bucks
The NBA revealed the Milwaukee Bucks will play 37 games between Dec. 23 and March 4 during the first half of the 2020-21 season schedule.
Featured
Deer District is now the Cheer District this holiday season
For the second straight year, the Cheer District has 31 lit trees, including a 25-foot Bucks-themed tree in the area surrounding Fiserv Forum, thanks to WE Energies.