World Cup fever fuels valley businesses

Team USA suffered a devastating loss Tuesday afternoon. But while they were busy scoring on the field, local valley businesses scored at the bank. Both the Beer Hunter and Burgers & Beer in La Quinta were packed with fans.

“A Tuesday in the summer this would be maybe 30 or 40 people in here and instead you’ve got 250 so that’s a big increase,” said Beer Hunter bartender, Phil Lockhart.

Down the street at Burgers & Beer, it was a similar situation.

“We expected it to be busy,” said waitress, Bianca Castro. “I don’t think we expected it to be as busy as it is right now.”

But, in this case busy means business — something these places need during quiet summer months.

“It’s been about 10 thousand more a week since it started,” added Castro.

Yes, that’s ten thousand dollars more a week. According to Castro, the restaurant has had to order more and more beer in addition to scheduling extra staff. Still, customers waited up to an hour for a table on Tuesday afternoon.

Gary Thayer of La Quinta says the Beer Hunter is his go to spot for sporting events. He said he’s never seen the place this packed.

“On a Tuesday, are you kidding me,” said Thayer. “Never.”

Unlike other sporting events, this time most people were cheering for the same teams.