Edmonton businesses close early to let staff watch Oilers in Game 7

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With Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final happening Monday night, some Edmonton businesses are closing early to give their staff the chance to watch the big game.

After three hard-fought games, the Edmonton Oilers are on the brink of one of the greatest comebacks in Stanley Cup history. As the team gets set for one final game in Sunrise, Fla., the city’s energy continues to build, but a couple of Edmonton businesses are giving their staff a break and the chance to watch the game of a lifetime.

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Sherbrooke Liquor’s manager of finance, David Middleton, said the staff group chat for Sherbrooke Liquor ignited into thankful chaos when the management team told everyone after Friday’s Game 6 win that the stores would be closed early on Monday to allow everyone to catch the game.

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“We just want to be of support to the Oilers and also let our staff have a chance to get home and enjoy the game,” said Middleton.

The decision to close, he said, was made minutes after Game 6.

The liquor store wasn’t the only business to opt for a Game 7 closure. MEAT and it’s affiliated restaurants, The Next Act, Marlo, Pals, and Pip, will all be closed Monday night to give their staff some game time, too.

“We waited until Friday night after the game and I think that’s when we sent out the message to the staff to say that we’re closed on Monday here,” said Saylish Haas, an owner at MEAT.

Like Sherbrooke’s employees, the staff at the five restaurants were similarly excited and grateful.

“Well, who doesn’t want a day off,” said Haas with a laugh, adding “I think everyone is pretty pumped.”

Middleton said it’s been a busy run for their liquor stores leading up to Game 7 and the employees have been into the spirit of the team. Donning jerseys on game days and participating in a hockey pool, the workers have ensured that their customers had the supplies they needed. But this time they get to enjoy the game themselves.

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The stores have also been busier on game days, Middleton said.

“It’s definitely busier game days — like, it’s been busier this morning than a usual Monday morning,” said Middleton.

Unlike the liquor store, MEAT and the other four affiliated restaurants haven’t had the same boom from the playoffs, which is part of what sparked Haas to propose closing up shop for the game to her fellow owners. None of the restaurants have TVs and Haas said that game days have been particularly challenging for them as the crowd is mostly concentrated in the Ice District or in pubs and sports bars with TVs.

“After Game 4, I suggested why don’t we shut her down and let everybody enjoy the game,” said Haas.

“I mean, it’s kind of been a grind on the game days for the season, but we’re big fans and my business partners have season tickets and they’re full on in the process of enjoying the series. So we thought, ‘You know what, why not close up’?”

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While the group of restaurants might not have had the direct crowds of fans, she said they’ve appreciated the dedicated clientele who have been patrons throughout the playoffs.

Other businesses have gotten in on the Game 7 excitement, too. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Newwest Travel announced that it would close early for Monday’s game.

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Some locals have used the playoff hype to make the most of an empty store, like this Edmontonian who was treated to a seemingly vacant Costco.

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Still, perhaps no business has jumped in on the excitement of the final game more than Boston Pizza, who is promising 30,000 free pizzas to the city if the Oilers win.

zdelaney@postmedia.com

Twitter/X: @ZacharyDelaney

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