'A huge opportunity:' Winnipeg businesses hope this Jets playoff run will be a lengthy one

The Winnipeg Jets are off to the races in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and while fans continue to ride the wave of a thrilling opening game victory, they're not the only ones who are celebrating. 

Businesses in the city also have a vested interest in the team's success as they experience an uptick in foot traffic and sales, while standing to cash in as the team goes deeper in the postseason. 

"The past few weeks it's been flooded with a lot of stuff to be done," said Matheus Aquino, general manager of Royal Sports on Pembina Highway. 

"More people coming in for hats, more people coming in for merch," he said. "It's been a lot more than we've had in the past two years I'd even say." 

Aquino attributes the uptick in demand for Jets merchandise to the team's success on the ice. They won a franchise-record 56-games, the Central Division and Presidents' Trophy in the regular season.

He said one of the most popular pieces of merchandise so far has been a white baseball hat with the Jets logo used from the 1990 to 96, which also features a "Goals for Kids" patch on the side. 

"This actual model sold out within an hour," said Aquino while joking that he was lucky to be able to get his hands on one.

Businesses in downtown Winnipeg are also hoping the Jets are in for a long stay in the playoffs. 

Businesses in the area saw a 90 per cent increase in sales just for the Jets' first game of the 2024 playoffs — a run which ultimately ended with the team getting knocked out in the first round — according to Olivia Billson with Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. 

"This is a huge opportunity for our downtown businesses," said Billson. "They're excited, they're putting their best foot forward. 

"We have dozens of businesses who are expanding their