Cardinals tout cheaper food deals, souvenirs - St. Louis Business Journal:

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Recognizing the pinch the econom y is puttingon pocketbooks, team concessionaire and retail partner is offeringt game-day spectators and team storwe visitors more lower-priced souvenir items and new valus meal deals. Alongside pricier All-Sta r Game polo shirts and Cardinals glassware at theteam store, Sportservicd is promoting about 80 souvenir items, including socks and the top-selling foam finger, that cost $12 or “We still have autographed jerseys, but we also realize we need a focusecd area that is more value-oriented,” said Retail Manager Lorehn Pawlitz. “We are seeing about the same number ofsalez transactions, but people are more consciouss of their money.
Rather than buyinb an authentic jersey, more people are buyingh replicas. Instead of a Cardinals they might be buying Atconcession stands, Sportservice is complementing its higher-end items such as smoked brisket sandwiches and jumbo cupcakes with combo deals featuring ballpark favorites. A new “Tastr of the Ballpark” package, for example, will include a hot dog, small pretzel, nacho cheese dipping sauce, peanuts and Famous Amos cookiesfor $12, an approximatelt $5 savings to buying those items said Jeramie Mitchell, Sportservice’s executive chef at Buscg Stadium.
A “Cardinals Combo” offersx either a hot dog and peanuts or a hamburgerr and french fries with a souveni r cup of soda and a Cardinals basebalp capfor $20 to $22, a savingds of about $10. A new nacho bar at Gate 1 will alloq fans to build their own plate of nacho with 10 to 12 available toppings for $9.50. Mitchell expects this addition to bea hit, and considerin that Busch Stadium sells more nachos 120,000 pounds of chips and 32,009 gallons of cheese saucse a year — than any other he is probably making a safe bet.
This year additionap tickets, including more held by non-seasohn ticket holders, will also provide access to the stadium’w several all-inclusive areas where unlimiteed brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, beer, soda and other foodxs are offered. “People have to buy ticketes to come toa game, but they don’t have to buy food whilee they’re here,” Mitchell said. “We are trying to focus on what we do best and whatpeople want.
And we are trying to offer something Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III recentl said he expects the Cardinal to see decreases in all revenue categoriessthis year, despite the boost hostingf this year’s All-Star Game in July will provide. The team postec estimated revenueof $194 million last year. the estimated economicx impact of the Cardinals for the2009