World Cup a ‘shot in the dark' for Seattle, but many businesses hopeful

Only a couple of customers traversed the shiny floors of Pacific Place shopping center on Wednesday morning, despite the downtown sidewalks teeming with people outside.

A lot of people are not aware that there are small businesses present in Pacific Place," said Rini Choudhury, owner of Enchanted Teas, which specializes in butterfly pea tea blends.

But once the FIFA World Cup tournament starts at Lumen Field on June 15, she expects to cater to crowds that are tenfold what she sees now.

Pacific Place, which has embodied downtown retail woes since the COVID-19 pandemic, will double as Seattle Soccer House, a free gathering place for fans hosting a four‑story screen that will broadcast matches, along with activities, photo opportunities, and food and alcohol offerings.

"I am overwhelmed," Choudhury said, with a laugh. "And, at the same time, I'm really, really excited."

In Pacific Place and throughout Seattle, business owners are holding their breath to see if the economic boom predicted for the city during the soccer tournament pans out. It could provide a much-needed financial boost for many, who are pumped to welcome tourists through their doors. They're taking steps like remodeling stores and amassing inventory to meet potential demand.

"This is never going to happen again in our lifetime, most likely, that we're prepping for a World Cup to be hosted in Seattle," said Jamie Munson, owner of Simply Seattle. "There's a bit of it for us that's kind of a shot in the dark."

'Kind of scary for me'

At the Pine Street entrance of Pacific Place, Pumarosa Candles, Emerald Brick Road and Enchanted Teas each playfully advertise their wares alongside mini soccer balls.

Choudhury is ready to welcome soccer fans from around the globe. "Tea is one of the most universal languages there is," she said.

Enchanted Teas launched online in late 2024. Her business is an homage to times spent picking butterfly pea flowers in her grandmother's garden in Dhanbad, India.

It moved into its brick-and-mortar location in the former Teavana storefront in November. Holiday shopping led to an influx of foot traffic, Choudhury said.

But in January, that fell off a cliff. "That was kind of scary for me, honestly," Choudhury said. As of June, she hasn't met her fiscal goals for the business yet.

Choudhury has noticed that most visitors come to the shopping center for meals at Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung, movies at AMC Pacific Place 11 and the skybridge to Nordstrom.

Ahead of the World Cup, Choudhury is transitioning her retail store, which usually offers a custom tea blending experience and free samples, into a service providing iced and hot teas, including a butterfly pea refresher that changes colors for Pride Month.

She's looking for seasonal workers to help with the potential rush.

'A lot of everything'

Sportswear stores are particularly hopeful that the World Cup buzz will yield profits.

Steps from Seattle's famous Pike Place Market, soccer balls, jerseys and scarves in the storefront windows of Simply Seattle catch the eyes of passersby at the corner of First Avenue and Pine Street.

The team behind the local company that sells sports and Pacific Northwest merchandise is anticipating a rush at its three stores once the tournament kicks off.

Munson expects sales will jump significantly in June and July - but whether that means a rise of 10% or 30%, he's not yet sure.

The World Cup is happening during peak season, he said, when Seattle also hosts cruise ship passengers, summer tourists and baseball fans.

To physically prepare, Simply Seattle has remodeled its stores, adding more room for inventory.

The company's buying team has spent the past year booking advance product orders, Munson said. They've worked with vendors to stock generic World Cup gear, Team USA merchandise and host city souvenirs.

So far, products featuring Seattle's World Cup host city orca tail design by Camano Island artist Shogo Ota have counted as the company's most popular pieces.

"It'll sell to locals that are just proud to host the games," Munson said in a phone interview, "and I think it'll sell to tourists that want to remember the World Cup, but they specifically want to remember their time in Seattle."

Outside Lumen Field, small businesses are also stocking their racks with soccer gear.

Gameday Sports Shop has its usual offerings for fans of Seattle sports teams, but it's also dedicated space to FIFA T-shirts, Team USA kits and scarves. Next to the receipt printer is a replica of the World Cup trophy.

"We are prepping to get hit very hard, especially on game days," said Brian Hale, owner of Gameday Sports Shop. "We've had a lot of people coming in already, which is exciting."

Forward-thinking customers are collecting World Cup souvenirs and memorabilia now, Hale said last week. Shipments of new inventory arrive almost daily.

"Just bringing in as much stuff as we can find," he said, "a little bit of everything - a lot of everything."

Hale plans to set up outdoor displays during the matches.

"Businesses are very excited. You can kind of see by all the prep that's going into it," he said. "It's going to pay off, and everyone's going to have a great time, and sales are going to be astronomic."

Beautiful city

Sportswear stores aren't the only Seattle businesses making preparations.

In Pike Place Market, an electric excitement for the event is palpable.

Patrick McAleese, owner of Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub, has kept his fingers crossed for the city to host World Cup games since the U.S. was selected to hold the 1994 tournament.

"I really want the world to see this place for what it is," he said, "a very dynamic, and, of course, very beautiful city."

More than three decades later, with the clock ticking until the first match, Kells has launched its own line of World Cup merchandise, including hats, a wine tumbler and a duffle bag. McAleese has received orders from around the globe.

He's also dedicated a page on the restaurant's website to tournament information, including the schedule and table reservations.

Founded by McAleese's parents in 1983, Kells is only about a 30-minute walk to Lumen Field. McAleese plans to open in the early morning hours and shutter only after the late games end.

Born in Belfast, Ireland, and raised in Seattle, McAleese is a soccer fan, and he believes the city fosters a hardy culture for the sport.

As a business, "we prepared for this the best we could," he said. "We want to create something really special.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 6:42 AM.