Jennifer Scheidt of Fresno put it this way:" I am so excited. I think it's the best thing that could have ever happened."
Mary Rios shared the enthusiasm. She said:" The Selland Arena, I've always favored it more over the Save Mart Center. Nothing against it, but this is home. This is home."
Moving the team downtown from the Save Mart Center on the Fresno State University Campus is already bringing new customers to downtown businesses.
Becky and Heidi Dees were surprised to find Carlton's Bar and Grill, just across the street. "I didn't even know this place was here until tonight, its first game." Becky said. Heidi added:"Todays the first day we came here, it's new to us, so, really cool like it, like the music, it's great."
Open just 8 months, Carlton's Restaurant, has seen an immediate boost in business.
Owner Carlton Lockett says, "I think Downtown is coming back and I think the Hockey Team will go a long ways toward making it come back. I think it was a great move to bring the Hockey Team back."
A couple of blocks away, the folks at Joe's Steakhouse welcome the hockey fans.
Owner Maribel Anaya says, "Oh definitely anything new that happens downtown will help all of the businesses."
The Falcons have 45 home games from now until May. Team General Manager John Tull hopes moving back to Selland helps downtown, and the team.
"The teams lost a lot of money in the past few years but moving downtown is the right move and first step in the direction of financial success." Tull said.
With more than 6 thousand tickets sold, opening night was a good night for the team, and downtown.
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