White Sox playoff run fuels record sales for nearby South Side businesses

The excitement surrounding the Chicago White Sox’s potential advance to the ALCS has turned the South Side into a bustling commercial hub. Grandstand, located at 600 W. 35th St., opened to a line of more than 20 shoppers and now places daily orders while tripling its workforce, including family members. Redwood Lounge, a recently opened tavern at 3200 S. Wallace St., is on track for sales 78% higher than the previous week and is preparing a watch-party with custom sweatshirts.

The 12,000-square-foot Sox team store at Rate Field reports a 75% rise in sales compared with last year and expects to double its staff for the game day. Turtles Bar and Grill, a longtime fan hangout at 238 W. 33rd St., has already doubled its indoor and outdoor capacity and is trimming its menu to handle the surge. Collectively, these businesses say the atmosphere feels “electric,” echoing the fan fervor of the 2005 postseason run.