Stan’s Sports Bar may be the most famous Yankees bar outside of the stadium and has been around for more than four decades but it’s closing its gates -- at least until next year.
Co-owner Michael Rendino says so few fans being around and such stringent COVID-19 regulations mean the thousands of customers passing through their doors on game days are gone
“It’s not only financially, it’s like you lose a piece of you,” said Rendino.
Employees say they wish there was a way to stay open. “It is sad but we have to take it the way it is, it is what it is,” said Rendino.
Rendino says they’re normally open about 100 days a year, every day the stadium is open, and pull in well over $1 million during that time.
However, so far in 2020, they’ve only been open for one day, the Yankees home opener on July 31.
Local merchants from the 161st Street Business Improvement District rallied together on Thursday for the Yankees to step up.
They are calling for the team to boost the local economy by paying higher taxes and rent and to open up as a polling location come November.
“The Yankees should be good neighbors, reach out to those businesses, see how they can provide them financial support in this tough time,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Rendino says they hope to reopen for the first pitch next year but will have to wait and see what happens with the pandemic and the team.
“It really is a sad situation. The Yankees are your life. This year’s just completely devastating,” said Rendino.
News 12 reached out to the Yankees and has not heard back yet.