Local businesses banking on Bruins

LYNN – The Bruins are in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990 and excitement locally has reached a fever pitch.Area businesses are taking advantage of the fan frenzy with the hope of boosting sales during the series. At Champs Sports at the Square One Mall in Saugus, Bruins merchandise is flying off the shelves.”Every five minutes someone comes in looking for T-shirts and hats,” said Assistant Manager Chris Martinez. “We just got 18 of the conference hats in and we sold 16 within a few hours. Everything’s going fast.”Martinez said activity at the sports store is typically steady but now, with the Bruins driving for the NHL championship, business is booming.”I had someone call at 9:20 p.m., after we had closed, wanting to know if we had a certain Bruins hat,” he quipped. “And another person called to put a couple different hats on hold right after they won the (last series).”At the Lazy Dog Sports Bar on Broadway in Lynn, owner Tom Dill said he anticipates that the small bar will be bursting at the seams during the finals, like it was during the previous three series.”We have a big Bruins following all year but, with the Stanley Cup, fans are hungry for a win, so I’m sure we’ll have a big turnout,” Dill said.With 10 high-definition TVs and a linked surround sound system, Dill said bar patrons can enjoy a dish of chipotle queso chicken wings and a cold beer while cheering on their favorite team.”We have a great viewing spot for a sports game,” he said. “It’s small, but the bar has a bigger feel than it is. It’s a tremendously exciting team to watch. People tend to stand around watching and it’s a pretty enjoyable time.”Excitement is also on tap for visitors to the Bostonville Grill on Route 1 in Lynnfield, where General Manager Dawn Zanazzo is bracing for the large crowds. She anticipates reaching the establishment’s capacity of 450.”We have more than 170 TVs, three function rooms, two bars and 12 projection screens, so it’s always a good time here,” she said. “One customer actually sold his playoff ticket because he said he would rather be here than at the game.”Zanazzo said the bar will have its usual buckets of beer available, along with pitchers and food galore for fans to nosh on.”We have a lot of people come in wearing their Bruins gear for the game, a lot of locals,” she said. “This is my sport. I’m a huge Bruins fan too, so I’m excited.”The series between the Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks opened Wednesday night with the next game slated for Saturday.