O's Home Opener Will Be A Boom For Baltimore Businesses

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Orioles' home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards is just a few days away. The team's return means a boom for Baltimore businesses.

Marcus Washington with the excitement from business owners.

Opening Day for the Orioles brings more than fans and home runs.

"We've actually done studies, and we realize that our tourism industry does really well when two things happen--one, we have a major citywide convention--or two--we have an O's homestand," said Tom Noonan, president and CEO, Visit Baltimore.

And when things start rocking at Camden Yards, business starts shaking in downtown Baltimore.

"We run a promotion that we call 'Bohs and Os,' where we do discounted Nattie Boh and Chef Mike's pit beef sliders," said James Williams, general manager, B&O American Brasserie.

That's every Monday and during any home game day. Williams says they see this all season.

"Overall, we usually see about a 20 percent increase in our dinner covers on home games," he said.

"You're going to see our restaurants and our hotels and our museums and our attractions and even retail see a big influx because of all the tourists in town," said Noonan.

"It's great for us. We love it," Williams said.

Opening Day is Monday. Live pre-game coverage begins at 2 p.m. followed by the game against the Twins. Watch it all live on WJZ-TV.