PITTSBURGH \u2014 For the last six months, business owners on the North Shore have been meeting with VisitPittsburgh, city officials, and the NFL in anticipation of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut really, it only started to become crystal clear in the last number of weeks,\u201d said Mike Sukitch, owner of Mike\u2019s Beer Bar & North Shore Tavern.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve seen large crowds before, of course. Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney concerts have taken place at Acrisure Stadium for years. But this particular event presents a unique set of challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Garbage pickup, when are the windows, food deliveries, beer deliveries?\u201d Sukitch said.<\/p>\n
When it comes to staffing, Sukitch said it\u2019s all hands on deck, but finding his employees a place to park when spots are at a premium is a tall order.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a number of parking passes in the parking garage, and what we are going to encourage \u2013 and how we are going to structure our staffing \u2013 is carpooling,\u201d Sukitch said. \u201cI\u2019m more afraid \u2013 not of call-offs \u2013 but just the challenges people will have trying to get here and get here on time.\u201d<\/p>\n
A few blocks away, at Jason Aldean\u2019s Kitchen & Bar, managers plan to staff the same as they would for any big event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re used to these types of days. We\u2019re high-volume places, so we\u2019re built for this,\u201d said Chad Conner, director of operations for Jason Aldean\u2019s Kitchen & Bar.<\/p>\n
While some private spaces within the restaurant have been rented out, it will be open to customers and is expected to reach capacity on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet that many people in one area, it\u2019s definitely going to be steady flow all day,\u201d Conner said.<\/p>\n
Conner said Jason Aldean\u2019s will be offering its full menu all Draft week.<\/p>\n
Mike\u2019s Beer Bar will limit its options, but it will be open for breakfast starting at 9 a.m. on Draft days.<\/p>\n
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