Businesses take hit with Packers loss

ASHWAUBENON - The streets around Lambeau Field just feel empty Sunday.

"Kind of dead, kind of quiet. Usually after a win you'd see people out around town a little more,” said Dalton Yewman, from Green Bay.

With Green Bay's playoff run cut short, all dreams of returning to the “Big Dance” were eliminated with the Packers loss.

"To be really honest, I was really down this morning. With all the Packers do for the community we were hoping we'd get a little more but still grateful we had this much of a season longer than some of the other teams and communities,” said Larson.

At Titletown area businesses like The Bar, the lights are still on. But, fewer patrons make themselves at home.

“Anytime the Packers aren't playing next door, we feel that economic impact. But, playoff games as they go are add-ons. It's not something that we plan on, when it comes it's something we enjoy the benefits of,” said Assistant Manager Steve Paustenbach.

Paustenbach says he's had to cut back on staffing with the season over.

"If they would have had a home game next week, it would have been all hands on deck. Everyone would have been working,” he said.

Down the street, Packers t-shirts line the racks. No frenzy this year to pick up any freshly minted Championship gear.

“People are always asking for Champions shirts and Super Bowl shirts if they make it there. It's going to bring down revenue a little bit. We always lose some revenue if they lose,” said Jersey Store employee Joey Larson.

The Jersey Store says when the Packers play here during a home playoff, they sell three times as much apparel as they do for the regular Sunday home games. But they say there is always a market for the green and gold.

“People are going to be Packers fans no matter what,” said Larson.

Though folks were somber as they took in the Atlanta-Seattle game, many say the green and gold blues won't last very long.

"They're down, but there's always next year,” said Paustenbach.