Daybreak Coffee Shop Seeks Boost from New Bees Stadium Opening
In South Jordan, Utah, Amber Wilson, the owner of Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, is looking for an uptick in business as the local Salt Lake Bees baseball stadium opened in April 2023, just two months after her coffee shop began operations. Despite the proximity of her establishment to the new venue, Wilson reported that business has not met her initial expectations.
Challenges of Attracting Customers
Wilson opened her coffee shop in February, hoping that the Bees stadium would attract more foot traffic. “It was such a fun season, but I wouldn’t say the Bees stadium brought us as much business as we were hoping for, and we didn’t get as much foot traffic,” she explained. On game days, Wilson noted an interesting trend: many visitors to the stadium were local residents who preferred to stay close to home rather than experience the larger crowds.
“We get more traffic from our residents because they come in and say, ‘Oh, there’s a Bees game; we are not driving anywhere,'” Wilson said. This observation highlights a shift in customer behavior that has impacted her business.
Adapting to Customer Preferences
Wilson believes that part of the challenge lies in the type of food that customers typically seek during baseball games. “I think people are looking for that traditional game food; we didn’t have a lot of grab-and-go options, and a lot of people went to the stadium not knowing what to expect, checking out other food items,” she mentioned. This sentiment reflects a broader trend where consumers often prioritize convenience and familiarity when attending sporting events.
Local residents shared their perspectives on the new stadium’s impact on the community. While some recognized the baseball venue as a welcome addition, they expressed uncertainty about its long-term influence on their visitation. “The main draw is the baseball stadium,” stated Matthew Haight, a local resident. Similarly, Chandie Vansickle remarked, “We’ll come up and walk the lake during Daybreak, and it’s good TRAX access, but otherwise, we’re not up here doing a lot.”
Despite these challenges, Wilson remains optimistic about her coffee shop’s role in the community. She hopes to establish it as a preferred gathering spot for residents and visitors alike before games. “We’re hoping to be a heavier presence in the community and have this be a place where people see these are features of the new ballpark and development designed to draw people,” she concluded.
As the season progresses, Wilson’s focus will be on adapting her offerings and increasing engagement with the local community to ensure that Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee thrives alongside the new stadium.
