Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - For the first time since 2019, it appears the Buffalo Bills will not be hosting a home playoff game this season.
And the impact from that is being felt - from a financial perspective - for businesses in Orchard Park, but also with economic ripple effects being felt in Downtown Buffalo.
"The impact is being felt," said Don Lorentz, Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce executive director.
Some estimates peg the local economic impact from a Bills home playoff game at well into the seven-figure range between money spent at area hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and other destinations.
Consider the case of Prohibition 2020, located on Southwestern Boulevard and in the shadow of the current Highmark Stadium.
Bernadette Singer, Prohibition 2020 operations manager, says losing a home playoff game means a drop in business between anywhere 60% and 70%.
"We definitely feel it," Singer said.
Lorentz noted since the 2020 season, the Bills have hosted two home playoff games each season. Up until this year, it was almost routine.
To see a locally owned business like Prohibition 2020 take a hard financial hit is tough to see, Lorentz said.
"That's a hard hit for them," Lorentz said.
Mark Ebeling, owner of Danny's South on Abbott Road, says he is closing the popular restaurant on Sunday.
During most home games, Danny's is packed from early in the morning until well into the night.
Ebeling says it made more financial sense to stay closed on this coming Sunday instead picking up minimal business from those wanting to watch the game at a bar or restaurant.
"People aren't coming out as much when there is a road game," Ebeling said.
It's not just in the Orchard Park area around Highmark Stadium that suffers when the Bills play on the road.
Patrick Kaler, Visit Buffalo president and CEO, said there is a big drop off in hotel room bookings when the Bills play road playoff games.
The drop off is a few percentage points during what is already the slowest month of the year, January, for the local hospitality industry.
"Our hotels love that business," Kaler said. "It will be missed."