Local businesses cash in as Knicks’ playoff run continues

The NBA Finals returned to New York after 27 years, leaving the Big Apple buzzing with anticipation. Basketball has seemingly taken over the city, from Madison Square Garden to the Empire State Building and across New York streets. Fans donned jerseys, hats and vintage Knicks collectibles.

On Monday, President Donald Trump and Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended Game 3, joining a star-studded courtside crowd that included Spike Lee, Tina Fey and Ben Stiller. The Knicks are only two wins away from lifting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy for the first time since 1973.

The Knicks’ historic playoff and Finals run against the San Antonio Spurs has become a massive economic boon for New York City. The postseason has generated an estimated $202 million in local economic activity, with up to $465 million projected by the end of the Finals.

While Midtown arenas and major bars are raking in millions, the economic wave is also washing into Sunset Park.

On Monday afternoon, staff at Maria’s Bistro Mexicano, 886 Fifth Ave., started preparing for the big game.

Bartender Mario Subia said the bar has been incredibly loud ever since the playoffs started.

“The bar was packed. People asked for TVs on the patio. People have been calling ahead to see if they can get a table,” Subia said.

The restaurant has acquired new TVs since the postseason began. Now, seven screens both inside the restaurant and on the patio are ready to broadcast the game to patrons.

“We hired more people to do the prep work for the night,” Subia added.

Owner and chef Freddy Nacipucha was about to decorate his Jeep with Knicks banners and flags. He said that during Game 2, more than 100 people came to the restaurant. For Game 3, he was anticipating even more people, especially restaurant workers who have Monday off.

He pulled out his phone and showed social media reels of customers holding a baby up “Lion King” style to celebrate the Knicks’ Game 2 win.

At Cap Bonito Sports, 5508 Fifth Ave., sales of Knicks items have been picking up since the playoff run started. Addy, manager of the store, said people were looking for Knicks T-shirts and caps.

“People come in and buy things from their favorite team. The Knicks are the local team,” he said.

Bakeries in the neighborhood also joined the Knicks frenzy. At La Flor de Izucar Café, 4021 Fifth Ave., orange and blue dotted cakes, donuts and conchas lined the display cases. General manager Alfredo Torres said he got the idea after seeing Utopia Bagels’ orange and blue bagels on social media.

Then he noticed that Italian bakeries in the city were making rainbow cookies in blue and orange.

“I didn’t want to just color the concha. I wanted to be different and unique. I always try to go all out,” Torres said.

The special concha features an orange and blue streusel topping and a piece of white chocolate printed with the Knicks’ logo.

The café makes at least two dozen special Knicks conchas every day.

“Yesterday someone called and asked if they could place an order. I asked how many they wanted, and they said, ‘We want 10,’” Torres said. “I wasn’t expecting someone to place an order like that.”

Torres plans to make the special conchas every day throughout the Finals. If the Knicks pull it off, he anticipates he will be baking them well into the victory parade.

Game 4 will be tonight at Madison Square Garden. You can watch the game with neighbors at Maria’s Bistro Mexicano, 886 Fifth Ave.; Irish Haven, 5721 Fourth Ave.; La Carreta Sports Bar, 5023 Fourth Ave.; Soccer Tavern, 6004 Eighth Ave.; and Fantastic Bar & Lounge, 4414 Eighth Ave.