Local businesses see boost with AVCA Showcase bringing in thousands of fans

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A huge weekend for Husker volleyball and local businesses as fans pack the capital city for the AVCA First Serve Showcase.

Thousands of customers travelled across the country and opened their wallets.

“We’ve seen a big increase in fans,” said Conner Myers, manager of Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill. “Obviously with school back in, volleyball and football season just around the corner, volleyball with the big tournament this weekend. We had a big group in here from Stanford, traveling fans. We’ve had a couple tables from Florida, so it’s been fun to see fans from everywhere. Show off the bar a little not just to people that are here locally.”

Finding an empty seat in any restaurant this weekend was a big challenge, but many of the owners said that’s what makes the job worth it.

Myers said big events like these are especially beneficial for small businesses and making connections with the people.

“Sports are obviously a huge impact for local businesses downtown,” he said. “Volleyball is huge for us. Not just basketball and football, volleyball is up there as far as sales in a day and fans interacting in the bar.”

He said this weekend was a nice way to kick off the start of fall Husker sports.

“For Husker games, we see huge crowds in the bar just to watch the experience,” he said. “It’s always a great time just because of the amount of TVs we have and the volume. Turns into a good volleyball atmosphere. Being able to show off a couple more teams is fun and having people in here, not used to the bars being all volleyball.”