Cars drive by Commodities on Nov. 6 in downtown Arlington. The shop opened in 2023.
With their first World Series title secured, the Texas Rangers and Arlington have cemented a place in sports history. The city is riding high as this World Series championship marks the first of more sports spectacles to come like the MLB All-Star Game and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A five-minute drive south of the Entertainment District, where the World Series Victory Parade saw at least half a million people Nov. 3, leads to the heart of the city where attendees escaped to after the celebration.
Trinkets shine in the display window of Wondrous Works Gift Shop on Nov. 6 in downtown Arlington. Owner Sherrie Phillips opened the shop in 2015.
Maggie Campbell, president and CEO of Downtown Arlington Management Corp., said restaurants and bars in downtown Arlington saw increases in sales and attendance every time the Rangers played, either at home or away, during the World Series.
When the parade was over and the crowds cleared out of the Entertainment District, Campbell said she went to see how things were going in the downtown area. Upon arrival, she said every restaurant had a wait and their patios were full.
A colorful mural is plastered on the side of Sugar Shack Salon and Spa on Nov. 6 in downtown Arlington. The stylists employed at the salon are all women.
Juan Garcia, the general manager of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on Abram Street, said the restaurant saw a “little more increase” in business as a result of the parade. Though many people came in wearing Rangers gear, he said many of them didn’t attend the event because of the large crowd.
“I feel like it’s helping out,” Garcia said about the excitement from the World Series and future sports spectacles coming to the city.
Commodities co-owner Brandon Avaroa said he didn’t feel like the sports excitement affected his store, a vintage clothing and sneaker boutique on Abram Street.
“I feel like even today, from the businesses surrounding us, they said that they didn’t have an influx of customers. And, you know, when you have 700,000 people in Arlington, those businesses should feel that influx of customers,” Avaroa said.
Avaroa said he would like to see the city bring “new fresh air” to the downtown Arlington area to make it more attractive like the efforts put into the Entertainment District.
Insomnia Cookies, which neighbors Commodities, saw about the same amount of business the day of the parade as on any other Friday despite the increased foot traffic, shift lead Bella Gallozzi said.
An American flag sways in front of The Tipsy Oak on Nov. 6 in downtown Arlington. The restaurant opened in 2018.
Campbell said the goal for downtown is to build it into a college-town environment. She said they want it to be walkable, clean and safe with authentic and unique businesses.
“We’re different from the Entertainment District, we’re not trying to be the Entertainment District,” Campbell said.
The economy the Entertainment District drives and the revenues tourism generates for the city is what allows Arlington to keep taxes low and services high, she said.
“That’s what balances the city’s budget so the taxpayers don’t have to,” Campbell said.
UTA colors decorate Odyssey Barbers & Beauty Shop on Nov. 6 in downtown Arlington. The salon is closed on Sundays.
Other than supporting new developments like a new hotel, convention center and the Medal of Honor Museum, the city has invested in infrastructure following the future major sports games. The North Central Texas Council of Governments and Arlington devoted $17.5 million for road improvements, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
@LeoRosas101
