San Francisco 49ers fans will likely be forever grateful to Jim Harbaugh for coaching the franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance in 18 years this season. San Benito County businesses have reason to be appreciative, too.
For many of those businesses, it’s the busiest they’ve been in a while. For Bill Mifsud of Bill’s Bullpen in Hollister, he can’t keep 49er items on the shelves.
“We’ve been in business for 25 years. We’ve had some 49ers success and some Giants success,” he said. “It’s great to see so many people that you haven’t seen before. In terms of business-wise, it’s a win-win. So for me, it’s great. The store is doing well and obviously when they win, we win. It’s Christmas again in February.”
Several local bars and restaurants have Sunday parties planned for Super Bowl XLVII as the 49ers face the Baltimore Ravens. Kickoff in the so-called “Harbaugh Bowl,” which pits San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh against his brother, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
In Hollister, Cheap Seats Pub & Grub will be hosting its annual Super Bowl party that will include happy hour on all drinks and half-off appetizers. Throughout the game, the bar will also hold a raffle for prizes.
Expect the bar to be busy, owner Norma Rendon said.
“With the playoffs, it was really swamped,” she said. “And with the two brothers, we were really busy. I hope it does get crowded, and I hope that they win. It would be nice.”
At Johnny’s Bar and Grill, their “Super Bowl Bash” begins at noon Sunday. A potluck of appetizer and a meal will be provided once the game starts. Drinks will also be at happy-hour prices.
Even golfers can get in the action, as Ridgemark Golf and Country Club will be holding a Super Bowl golf tournament at 9 a.m. Sunday.
The tournament’s $70 fee includes a golf cart, range tokens, two drinks and an entry into a prize fund. After the tournament at 2 p.m., the course will be holding a buffet for $7 per person. All beer is $3.
Anyone looking for information about the Ridgemark festivities should call (831) 637-8151.
Come Sunday, most local people are going to have the 49ers on their mind.
For Mifsud, more than 90 percent of his football memorabilia sales are dedicated to the 49ers since the beginning of January.
“For the time being, a lot of people want to wear their colors,” he said. “We had a good run before the Atlanta game. But in two weeks before the Super Bowl, it’s only building.”
The interest is very similar to the Giants’ run in 2010, he said.
“That was off the charts,” Mifsud said. “The Niners, though, is like the Giants’ first because it’s been 18 years since the 49ers have been in the Super Bowl.”
He continued: “There are a lot of kids that have never seen them win a Super Bowl. So it’s like a whole new thing. It’s kind of neat, too, when you hear somebody say that when you realize it’s been 18 years since they’ve been in the Super Bowl.”
And it could be even busier if everything falls right Sunday, Mifsud said.
“It would be great if this was once every year,” he said.
