Harrison Must Help Local Businesses Benefit From World Cup

As Sports Illustrated Stadium becomes a gathering place for World Cup watch parties and related events, Harrison has an important opportunity that should not be wasted. Thousands of visitors will be coming into town during the FIFA World Cup period. Many will arrive by PATH, park near the stadium, walk through the Riverbend & SOHA districts and attend events at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

But Harrison is more than the stadium area.

Harrison is a small, one-square-mile town with local businesses on both sides of the community. Restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, delis, stores, bars, and service businesses near the stadium deserve support from visitors. So do the businesses on the other side of town in Harrison’s central business district, including the long-standing businesses that have served residents for years. For those interested in getting a bite to eat, we put together a listing of restaurants located in Harrison. Use this link to access browse Harrison's restaurants.

World Cup visitors should be encouraged to come early, stay after events, and spend money locally. A meal before a watch party, coffee after arriving by PATH, a stop at a bakery, or a visit to a local restaurant after a match can make a meaningful difference for small businesses. These are the businesses that employ local workers, pay local taxes, sponsor community activities, and help give Harrison its identity.

The problem is that Harrison’s Mayor and Council have not done enough to connect visitors at Sports Illustrated Stadium with the rest of the town. Not just during the World Cup games but throughout the year.

For years, Harrison has had major stadium events that bring thousands of people into the community. Yet too often, the focus has been on moving people in and out of the stadium area, not on helping local businesses benefit from the crowds. The town should be doing more to promote Harrison as a place to eat, shop, and visit before and after stadium events.

One practical idea is simple: provide transportation between Sports Illustrated Stadium, the Harrison PATH Station area, and the central business district located along Harrison Avenue and North Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. on the other side of town.

A shuttle, trolley,  van, or clearly promoted event-day transportation loop could help visitors discover more of Harrison. It could connect the stadium area with local restaurants and businesses along Harrison Avenue and other commercial areas. It could also reduce unnecessary car trips within town and make it easier for families, seniors, and visitors unfamiliar with Harrison to move around safely.

This is especially important during the World Cup period. The World Cup is not an ordinary stadium event. It is a global event bringing international attention, regional visitors, and soccer fans looking for places to gather. Harrison should be using this moment to promote its local economy.

Other communities understand that major events should benefit more than the venue itself. When large crowds come into a town, local government should help create a plan so small businesses share in the opportunity. That means signage, maps, business directories, social media promotion, event-day shuttles, and coordinated outreach to visitors. Maybe even Pop Up Stores outside the stadium during events.

Harrison should have a clear Support Local Harrison Businesses”campaign during the World Cup. Visitors should be shown where they can eat before a match, where they can stop after a watch party, and how they can explore more than just the stadium footprint. Businesses should be promoted on the town’s website, social media accounts, and event-day materials.

The town should also work with business owners to identify what support they need. Some businesses may want extended hours on event days. Others may want outdoor signage, temporary signs, or permission to promote specials. Restaurants and cafes may benefit from being listed in a World Cup visitor guide. Stores and service businesses may want help being included in promotional materials.

The Mayor and Council should not wait until the World Cup is over to talk about missed opportunities. Harrison should act now.

Sports Illustrated Stadium receives the crowds. But Harrison’s local businesses should receive the benefit. Currently, that is not happening. 

Visitors attending World Cup watch parties and stadium events should be encouraged to support businesses near the stadium and throughout the town. Harrison residents deal with the traffic, parking problems, road restrictions, police overtime, and congestion that come with major events. The least that should happen is that local businesses receive a fair chance to benefit from the increased activity.

The World Cup can be more than a stadium event. It can be a Harrison event.

But that will only happen if town officials make a real effort to connect visitors with local businesses across the entire one-square-mile community.

We encourage you to share your thoughts on the Community Discussion Board after reading this article.

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