Downtown Tulsa Businesses Excited About Tulsa Drillers' Opening Day

Jamie McGriff, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa is gearing up for its second season of Tulsa Driller baseball. One year ago, the city gave a warm welcome to the new home for the Tulsa Drillers.

Since its opening last April, thousands of baseball fans have flocked through the gates to enjoy the games and hang out downtown. And with those extra visitors downtown could more businesses set up shop near ONEOK Field?

The start of the new season will bring more people downtown. That likely means more people walking around and browsing what Tulsa has to offer.

I talked to one business owner who says the increased foot traffic is a welcome addition to his bike shop, located right around the corner from the ballpark.

"The events adds to our business whether it's the entertainment events, the music events at the BOK Center, with the restaurants or pubs are doing or even what some of the running clubs are doing," said Adam Vanderburg, Lee's Bicycles.

Lee's Bicycles has been open for about a year.

Vanderburg said he took a chance and opened his business in downtown for many reasons, including the new stadium and events at the BOK Center.

With several thousand Tulsa Drillers fans coming downtown this spring and summer, he's hoping more people will stop in to check out his bikes.

He says the first year has been a success and he hopes more businesses take a chance and join him downtown.